2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

A total of 2,042 staphylococcal isolates from 212 body sites of 106 heifers were evaluated. Of the 2,042 isolates, 1,359 were eliminated from the data analysis due to replication of a single species on the same body site, leaving 683 isolates. A total of 17 different staphylococcal species were identified. Staphylococcus aureus was more prevalent on teat skin than in the inguinal region (P < 0.01). All other staphylococcal species were equally distributed between the teat and inguinal region. For most species, colonization of the inguinal and teat region was associated with age of the heifer. Staphylococcus equorum, Staphylococcus lentus, Staphylococcus sciuri, and Staphylococcus vitulinus were more likely to be found on younger heifers, while Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staphylococcus devriesei, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were more likely to be found on the older heifers. A diverse population of staphylococcal species was found on the teat and inguinal region of heifers, and staphylococcal populations tended to change with age. Some important host-adapted species frequently associated with intramammary infection, e.g. S. chromogenes, become more prevalent with age. Stress can negatively impact the health and productivity of lactating dairy cattle. The primary objective of this study was to determine the degree of stress experienced by dairy cattle around calving, and whether primiparous cattle were more stressed than multiparous cattle in the periparturient period.