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Teat Sealing and Dry Cow Therapy

Teat sealing

Teat sealing is a crucial practice for preventing mastitis, particularly during the dry period of dairy cows and for heifers prior to their first calving. This process involves the application of an internal sealant that provides a physical barrier in the teat canal, preventing bacterial entry and reducing the risk of infection.

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Benefits of Teat Sealing:

  • Mastitis Prevention: Significantly lowers the incidence of new mastitis infections during the dry period and early lactation.

  • Improved Udder Health: Helps maintain udder health and overall cow well-being.

  • Reduced Antibiotic Use: Minimises the need for antibiotics by preventing infections rather than treating them.

Procedure:

  • Application Timing: Cows are teat sealed at the time of dry off. Heifers should be teat sealed at least 4 weeks prior to planned start of calving date.

  • Technique: The process involves careful cleaning of the teats, followed by the insertion of the teat sealant. Proper technique is crucial to ensure effectiveness and prevent contamination.

  • Combination with Dry Cow Therapy: In some cases, teat sealing can be combined with antibiotic dry cow therapy to provide comprehensive protection against mastitis.

  • Heifers: Our team of dedicated technicians is skilled in administering teat sealants to heifers, who often have smaller teat canals and are not accustomed to having their udders touched.

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Our spaces for teat sealing cows and heifers fill up quickly every year, so please ensure to book well in advance to secure your appointment.

Dry Cow Therapy (DCT)

DCT refers to the administration of antimicrobial treatment to dairy cows during the dry period, typically within the final weeks of the lactation cycle. During this phase, cows are not producing milk, allowing their mammary glands to rest and rejuvenate in preparation for the next lactation cycle.​

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Dry Cow Therapy (DCT) is used at dry-off to help treat existing subclinical infections and prevent new infections from occurring. It can be used in conjunction with teat-sealants to help provide three main benefits​

  1. Helping to treat subclinical infections

    • The long activity period of DCT is our best weapon for trying to treat subclinical mastitis. This helps reduce the number of recurring mastitis cases and reduces cell count for the following season.

  2. Reduce mastitis during the dry period

    • During the dry period, when cows cease milk production, their udders undergo significant physiological changes. DCT plays a crucial role during this phase by protecting the udder while the cow naturally develops a keratin teat plug. This protective barrier minimises the risk of bacterial invasion, thereby reducing the incidence of mastitis during the dry period.

  3. Reducing mastitis at calving

    • The transition from the dry period to lactation presents a critical juncture where cows are particularly vulnerable to mastitis. Long-acting DCT or the use of teat-sealants provides a protective shield against mastitis at calving. By maintaining the integrity of the udder and preventing bacterial entry, DCT helps ensure a smooth transition into the lactation phase, minimising the risk of mastitis-related complications.

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