It also reduces the likelihood of infection being passed to other cows, and the development of chronic infections.

Cases that require treatment are those where there is heat, swelling or signs of pain in the udder, and/or changes in the milk (wateriness, clots, discolouration) that persist for more than three squirts of milk. Only treating these cases helps avoid wasting antibiotics on cases that may otherwise clear up on their own.

Guideline 4 provides practical information on:

• Checking for clinicals during the colostrum period
• Deciding which cows should be treated
• Collecting milk samples to identify the bacteria involved.
• Ensuring that milk from treated cows does not end up in the vat (MRS T).
• Administering antibiotic treatments as recommended.
• Milking the quarter out fully at each milking.
• Observing withholding times for milk and meat.
• Importance of discarding milk from treated cows

Technote 4 provides technical information for farmers and advisers on:

• Calculating the cost of mastitis
• Methods for analysing bacterial culture samples
• Different types of antibiotics and likely success rates
• Supportive treatments
• Appropriate use of antibiotics
• Importance of observing withholding times
• Options for clinical quarters that fail to cure