TEAT DISINFECTION AND MASTITIS IN DAIRY-C ATTLE - A LITERATURE-REVIEW

Postmilking teat disinfection is accepted as an important part of stan dard preventive measures against mastitis in dairy cattle. The efficac y of postmilking teat disinfection against infections with contagious pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae i s beyond doubt. However, the efficacy of teat disinfection against inf ections with environmental pathogens such as Escherichia coli is dispu ted, and a negative effect has even been described in some situations. This article reviews the practice of teat disinfection in dairy cattl e. Premilking and postmilking teat disinfection are discussed as is th e efficacy, different ways of teat disinfection, and different disinfe ctants. It is concluded that post-milking teat disinfection is an effe ctive management measure in most herds. Selection of teat disinfectant s should be based on proven efficacy, which is required for registrati on of the preparation as a veterinary medical product in the Netherlan ds.