Effects of Pre-Parturient Iodine Teat Dip Applications on Modulating Aversive Behaviors and Mastitis in Primiparous Cows

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The first few days after calving can be stressful for young dairy cows since they must acclimate to many unfamiliar situations that are required for milking, including novel noises and sensations to their udders. Furthermore, the human–animal relationship is simultaneously jeopardized during this time since cows may display undesirable or dangerous behaviors during milking, such as kicking and stomping. These cows are also at risk for bacterial mammary infections that can be painful and damage tissue. In a controlled experiment, young cows that investigated the milking area and had their teats sanitized weekly for 3 weeks prior to calving were more comfortable during post-calving milking procedures as indicated by reduced kicking and restlessness behaviors. Furthermore, they had fewer mammary infections caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus after calving. Results from this experiment indicate that sanitizing teats and providing opportunities to acclimate to the milking area prior to calving may improve the wellbeing and mammary health of young cows and promote a positive human–animal relationship. ABSTRACT: Heifers and their human handlers are at risk for decreased welfare during the early lactation period. This experiment investigated pre-parturient teat dipping and parlor acclimation to reduce mastitis and aversive behaviors in early lactation heifers. Three weeks prior to calving, heifers were randomly assigned to receive either: (1) a weekly 1.0% iodine-based teat dip in the parlor (trained; n = 37) or (2) no treatment (control; n = 30). For the first 3 days of lactation, heifers were milked twice daily, and treatment-blinded handlers assessed behaviors and clinical mastitis. Aseptic quarter milk samples were collected within 36 h of calving and analyzed for pathogens. Control heifers had (OR ± SE) 2.2 ± 0.6 times greater (p < 0.01) odds of kicking during milking. Trained heifers had (OR ± SE) 1.7 ± 0.4 times greater (p = 0.02) odds of being very calm during milking, while control heifers had 2.2 ± 0.8 and 3.8 ± 2.1 times greater (p < 0.04) odds of being restless and very restless or hostile during milking, respectively. Quarters of control heifers had (OR ± SE) 5.4 ± 3.4 greater (p < 0.01) odds of intramammary Staphylococcus aureus infection, yet clinical mastitis was similar among treatments. The results indicate that teat dipping in the parlor weekly for 3 weeks before calving may alleviate some aversive milking behaviors and protect against early lactation S. aureus intramammary infections.