• Traditionally heifers have been thought of as a group free of mastitis which is not true.
• Routine visual and manual examination of the developing udder, mammary fluid and teat skin to identify swollen quarters and abnormal secretions (clots and flakes) help to detect heifer mastitis.
• Heifers with teat scabs and abrasions also are likely to be infected and should be treated with advice from a veterinarian.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL

• Calves should receive early, adequate colostrum intake and be removed from the dam as soon as possible.
• If calves are grouped, they should be kept separate for at least one hour after feeding.    Watch for suckling of heifers: Remove any calf from a group that sucks on other calves.     Use fly control measures to minimize skin and teat fly strikes.
• Pay attention to environmental conditions. Avoid wet, bacteria-laden areas for resting areas indoors and outdoors.
• Maintain adequate nutrition without over-conditioning heifers.
• Mineral mixture should be fed in adequate quantities for boosting the udder immune system.
• The critical time to prevent new infections is the last seven days before calving.

                            Control heifer mastitis - reduce incidence in milking animals