When To Take a Culture
- Prior to treating a case of mastitis
- An animal that has an elevated Somatic Cell Count (SCC)
- A fresh animal that was high at the end of the last lactation
Information required when submitting
In order to provide the producer with the best method of treatment, then following information should be provided with submitting samples
- Cow ID
- Which quarter was sampled, or if it is a composite sample
- Reason for culturing - failure to respond to therapy, elevated SCC, abnormal milk, recheck of culture results
- The cow's lactation number and stage (ie days in milk)
How to properly take a milk culture
There is great information on how to properly obtain a milk culture
Milk Sample Collection Technique for Bacteriological Testing - CBMRN
Milk Sample Collection Technique for Bacteriological Testing - CBMRN