Changes

Currently available internal teat sealants use an inert bismuth based paste, which is infused into the teat canal. This may be performed alone or after infusion of an antibiotic. If used alone, it is important to ensure that there is no pre-existing subclinical infection. This may be through the use of a [[California Mastitis Test (CMT)|California Mastitis Test (CMT)]] although due to the poor sensitivity, individual SCC records are a better indicator. However, problems arise when using milk recordings because these are composite samples (i.e. all four quarters mixed together) so that a single infected quarter may be diluted by the other three quarters and therefore the cow may appear uninfected. It is therefore advisable to use individual SCC records from the whole lactation in a combination with a CMT if deciding whether to use an internal sealant alone or in combination with a long acting antibiotic. Alternatively individual quarter SCC can be measured although the cost and inconvenience may be prohibitive.

Currently available internal teat sealants use an inert bismuth based paste, which is infused into the teat canal. This may be performed alone or after infusion of an antibiotic. If used alone, it is important to ensure that there is no pre-existing subclinical infection. This may be through the use of a [[California Mastitis Test|California Mastitis Test (CMT)]] although due to the poor sensitivity, individual SCC records are a better indicator. However, problems arise when using milk recordings because these are composite samples (i.e. all four quarters mixed together) so that a single infected quarter may be diluted by the other three quarters and therefore the cow may appear uninfected. It is therefore advisable to use individual SCC records from the whole lactation in a combination with a CMT if deciding whether to use an internal sealant alone or in combination with a long acting antibiotic. Alternatively individual quarter SCC can be measured although the cost and inconvenience may be prohibitive.

A common problem with using teat sealants is their misapplication by farmers who introduce the paste in a similar way to a normal dry cow antibiotic. It is important that the paste resides within the teat canal only in order to be effective. This is effectively performed by pinching the top of the teat between two fingers of one hand while infusing with the other. Failure to do so will mean using the product will be ineffective in preventing new IMI during the dry period.

A common problem with using teat sealants is their misapplication by farmers who introduce the paste in a similar way to a normal dry cow antibiotic. It is important that the paste resides within the teat canal only in order to be effective. This is effectively performed by pinching the top of the teat between two fingers of one hand while infusing with the other. Failure to do so will mean using the product will be ineffective in preventing new IMI during the dry period.