How does this sound:
47% reduction in dry cow antibiotic use and a saving of £850
This was achieved through a selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) project we organised with Farming Connect on a client’s 180 cow unit, for a full year. The project utilised milk leukocyte testing from a Q-Scout (Vetscan DC-Q) machine to inform the selective dry therapy process. This was carried out by the VetTech team.
We’ve just had the approval to carry out a similar project for a further two years on three dairy units. This has secured the Vetscan DC – Q scout machine (milk leukocyte testing) from Zoetis to be in our Wrexham branch for the duration of this project. This is a perfect opportunity for you to use the machine and find out how it could help build confidence to do SDCT. We already have a machine up in Lancashire!
Nat Parker is at the centre of these projects and talks use briefly though how the machine works. Of course, we would definitely advise talking to your vet before launching into SDCT!
How does the Vetscan DC – Q scout work?
Milk Leukocyte Differential (MLD) Testing
a) Lymphocytes which scout for pathogens.
b) Neutrophils which fight infection by engulfing bacteria and then releasing enzymes that kill the engulfed bacteria. The increased presence of neutrophils is a sign of subclinical mastitis.
c) Macrophages which engulf and digest cellular debris and pathogens.
Vetscan DC-Q MLD will generate data showing the total leukocyte count and the percentage of each cell type present. This information is used in an index to generate a categorical quarter diagnosis of healthy versus infected.
An example of this data is shown below. MLD testing reveals that cow 7572 has a left front quarter that is infected with subclinical mastitis; as indicated by the positive diagnosis. This diagnosis enables the left front quarter to be treated for subclinical mastitis. Prior to the use of MLD, a quarter such as this would have gone undiagnosed (as SCC through milk recording is an average of four quarters).
For more information about the use of the Vetscan DC-Q MLD machine, please speak to your vet or get in touch with Nat who can give you some more detail about the projects that have run so far (07841 775697).
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