Selective Dry Cow Therapy For Today's World
by Dr. Vicky Lauer, Armor Animal Health Professional Services Veterinarian

With consumers becoming increasingly concerned about antibiotic use on dairy farms and the recent shortage in dry cow mastitis tubes, selective dry cow therapy provides an alternative solution. Come learn what selective dry cow therapy is and if it might be a fit for your dairy operation.

1. 

   Cotton Tipped Sterile Applicator [100ct] each

   $2.96

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2. 

   Milk Vials [11 mL] [10ct] Bag

   $3.50

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3. 

   Hova-Bator Incubator each

   $78.76

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OPTION 1:  ALGORITHM GUIDED METHOD

OPTION 2:  CULTURE METHOD

Utilize DHIA monthly data

All cows that are enrolled in the Selective Dry Cow Therapy program must meet all of the following criteria:

• SCC is below 200,000 for the entire location
• Free of clinical mastitis within 14 days of dry-off
• Only had one clinical mastitis case during the entire lactation

If a cow meets ALL of the above criteria then an internal teat sealant is inserted in all four quarters, and no intramammary antibiotic tubes are necessary.  If all of the above criteria are NOT met, then an intramammary antibiotic tube is chosen and inserted in all four quarters followed by a teat sealant.

Utilize on-farm or diagnostic lab culturing

Two days before the dry-off period, collect and culture either a composite milk sample or individual quarter samples.

• If there is growth on a composite milk culutre, treat all four quarters with an intramammary antibiotic tube followed by an internal teat sealant
• Only the quarters with growth are treated with an intramammary antiobiotic tube followed by an internal teat sealant
• If there is no growth on a composite milk culture or on an individual quarter culture, only us a teat sealant