Streptococcus agalactiae

Strep ag can be controlled and eradicated from a herd by good milking practices including proper udder preparation using single use towels, post-milking teat dip and treating and segregating infected animals.  This is one of the few organisms that responds very well to most commercial intramammary antibiotic products in both the lactating and dry period.

However, if a chronic infection does not respond to therapy, the cow should be culled to prevent infecting other cows.  Strep ag eradication is relatively easy and cost-effective.  By culturing cows to determine their infection status, infected animals can be treated effectively to eliminate the bacteria.