Teat dip

[MTKitty]

Now that the new girl lets me milk, I’ve been obsessed with preventing mastitis.

The post-milking spray I have is chlorhexadrine. I have used it myself as a pre-surgical body wash. It strips moisture so bad that I hate using it. Plus, a spray comes out cold, no matter what - very unpleasant.

I don’t trust using alcohol and essential oils. Micro abrasions and cuts will sting like fire with that.

The other thing I’ve seen is use of 1% iodine as a dip. I can dilute iodine in my first aid kit to get to that percentage pretty easily.

I am curious what the rest of you use and what your experience has been with other methods of post-milking disinfectant.

 

[canesisters]

Are you looking for a pre-dip or a post-dip?
I've used both the red iodine based ones and the blue one (chlorhexidine?). I haven't noticed any excessive drying.
One of the best things I've learned is to NOT use water to clean. Or, at least, not a lot. I use several damp wash cloths (hot water, a little vinegar, & a splash of an all natural cleaner). The idea is that a lot of water (runs & drips) will carry bacteria down the udder to the teat openings. Unless she's really dirty, a good stiff brushing, followed by wiping clean with damp clothes, then a teat dip that sits while I set up for milking. After milking I do a good rub with Dynamint and the post-dip (same stuff - clean bottle) and let her go.

 

[Mini Horses]

I use a damp washcloth, before and after milking. Clean one for each girl. I wash the cloths in light bleach water, a small amount of sensitive type laundry detergent, with NO softeners added. I make sure their teats are dry after last washing, before releasing from stanchion. I've read that having them stand for a few minutes after milk/clean, allows the orifice to close, keeping germs and bacteria out. Some hay helps keep them busy. I generally carry a couple extra wet clothes in a plastic bag...in case someone has a lot of dirt on them. Light iodine is what most dairies use, I believe.

The bacteria that causes mastitis lives in the dirt, so they can find it I've not had any issues over many years. Consistent milking is a huge deterrent for prevention, fully emptying udders, along with no sharing wipes. I sometimes use disposable wipes, water wet, no fragrances, etc.

@Ridgetop had a lot of milking and milk testing years back. She can tell you what they used.

 

[MTKitty]

Only milking one, so cloth sharing is not an issue. I like the FiasCo Farms formula for pre-milking (a very mild Chlorox solution). It’s the post-milking I feel like needs something more than just a soap-and-water routine.

Our rainy spring notwithstanding, our air is very dry. So, I’m really concerned that the orifice be properly treated but not using a harsh chemical to add to an already dry environment.

Speaking of dry, … bag balm - after dipping and drying, post milk?

 

[Ridgetop]

We used Iodine which we diluted with water. Don't use a really drippy cloth wring it out. Wash the udder, rewash the udder, milk, wash the udder again and then use a teat dip to seal the teats before the goat gets off the stanchion. Sealing the teats with a dip is what really keeps the germs out of the udder.

 

[MTKitty]

We used Iodine which we diluted with water. Don't use a really drippy cloth wring it out.

Do you recall the original strength of the iodine and the dilution ratio you used?

 

[Ridgetop]

Went and looked it up - I bought it by the case and have hoarded the last case since I can't get it any more here. I use it full strength for dipping navel cords and dilute it for washing out wounds, infections, and abscesses.
It is Iodophor II from Ecolab. It stains badly and if you are allergic to iodine DON'T use it. Otherwise, I really liked it for use as an udder wash and as a wash for wounds. I used to order it from Caprine Supply and paid shipping, until I found it at the dairy supply store in Chino (an hour + away). I used to make a circle through Chino - to the auction, drop off buck kids or calves, then to dairy supply, then to the vet supply, and then the feed mill in Ontario where I filled the pickup bed with grain and drove home in time to pick up the kids from school. Then they spent 2 hours shoveling the grain into metal cans and using a dolly to put them in the barn. Good Times! LOL
The teat dip was blue and I used a teat dip cup but you can also use a large prescription pill container and just rinse and refill it for each goat. I use a prescription pharmacy pill container for dipping umbilical cords. Much easier than trying to spray them. Hope this helps.

 

[MTKitty]

This info does help. Even if I can’t find this specific thing, I should be able to work out dilutions with what I have available.

 

[MTKitty]

For others interested in trying iodophor, it seems to be commonly used to sanitize brewing equipment. So, if you have a brewing supply store near you, it should be available there if the ranch stores don’t carry it.

Probably need to pay attention to dilutions, if that becomes the source.

 

[Ridgetop]

Good to know. I have 3 full gallons and an almost full 4th gallon. I hope to baby them along until I die. LOL But knowing where to look to get more is ideal. Thanks.