Watch out for Klebsiella infections during the hot season
By Jan Storgaard, Stalosan specialist
Klebsiella is a commonly occurring environmental bacterium that thrives in for example cubicles, especially if wood products such as sawdust and wood shavings are used. These wood products usually work really well as drying agents and inhibitors of bacterial growth, but unfortunately, they also provide really good growth conditions for Klebsiella. At the same time, the bacterium thrives well in cubicles without bedding material, in which a small amount of fertilizer and moisture combined with rising temperatures during the summer season is found.
Under these conditions it does not take much for a small quantity of the Klebsiella bacteria to grow so rapidly that the cows may get seriously ill very quickly. Once the cows get sick with Klebsiella infections, there is not much that can be done beyond providing fluids and pain medication, consequently hoping that the cow survives the infection and recovers without a sustained diminished milk yield.
How to combat Klebsiella
Stalosan F, the only recognized powder biocide in the EU, effectively kills Klebsiella in the housing environment, including cubicles. Thus, experience shows that the product is an effective tool in controlling Klebsiella, even on a hot summer day. The effect of Stalosan F makes it possible to kill Klebsiella within a short time, but the real advantage lies in the preventive effect, where regular use of Stalosan F in the cubicle can keep bacteria down and significantly reduce the risk of Klebsiella infections. At this point, we recommend that you use Stalosan F several times a week, and if the cows are at higher risk of getting Klebsiella infections, you can use Stalosan F daily.
As Stalosan F is a powder with a limited ability to level in the cubicle, make sure that the entire rear part of the cubicle at the udder area is covered with a uniform layer. This is crucial to a good effect. We do not recommend mixing Stalosan F with the bedding material prior to scattering, unless you are absolutely sure that the mixture is perfect, and that Stalosan F is found in the entire bedding. Experience shows that it is difficult to achieve the perfect mixture, which makes it challenging to reach a sufficiently good effect of the product.
Our recommendations are therefore always to scatter Stalosan F separately. This is done most easily and efficiently with our handyman, which can be connected to a screwdriver, ensuring a very even distribution within a short time.