Efficacy of two iodine teat dips based on reduction of naturally occurring new intramammary infections.

The efficacy of 2 teat dips, product 1 (Della Care with 5 to 8 ppm of free iodine, used as a positive control) and product 2 (New Della Care with 12 to 16 ppm of free iodine), was compared using a natural exposure trial on dairy cattle. The trial was based on National Mastitis Council guidelines and performed over 9 mo. Both teat dips contained 0.25% iodine. Product 2 reduced the infection rate 57.6% for major pathogens and 53.7% for minor pathogens, compared with the positive control. Product 2 gave highly significant reductions for Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Corynebacterium bovis. Teat skin, teat ends, and teat hyperkeratosis were evaluated during trial. No significant difference in teat condition was observed between these 2 products.