Evaluation of udder preparations on intramammary infections

Udder preparations of wet towel plus drying and .1% iodophor premilking teat dipping plus drying were compared with no preparation to determine effects on number of new intramammary infections. Teats of 84 cows were challenged (5 d/wk) for 18 wk with a culture broth of Streptococcus uberis 3 h prior to each p.m. milking to stimulate environmental contamination. Wet towel plus drying and premilking teat dipping plus drying significantly reduced number of new intramammary infections compared to no preparation. Cleaning with water or dipping with a premilking teat dip and manual drying of teats may have contributed to the reduction in number of new infections. Premilking teat dipping plus drying further reduced number of new infections compared to use of wet towel plus drying. Apparently, teat dipping was more effective in reducing the number of new infections than water used with the wet towel. This study showed that udder preparations can affect udder health when an experimental bacterial challenge is applied.