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CMT Testing

EASY COW-SIDE TESTING

A) Collect milk from individual quarters.
  1. Dilute CMT concentrate. See concentrate bottle for directions. (Makes 1 gallon of CMT working solution).
  2. Discard first stream of milk.
  3. Draw foremilk from each quarter into corresponding cup of testing paddle.
  4. Do not use colostrum, milk from fresh cows (less than 3 days post-calving) or samples after dry-off.
B) Pour off excess milk.
  1. Tilt testing paddle to discard excess milk until equal volumes remain in each cup.
  2. Remaining milk should be level with the outside (largest) circle in each cup.
C) Add an equal amount of CMT working solution.
  1. Tilt testing paddle back until milk is halfway between the inner and outer circles.
  2. Slowly add CMT working solution into each cup until mixture is even with the inside circle of each cup. This should provide equal parts milk to CMT solution.
D) Make rotational movement with test paddle.
  1. Gently rotate mixture in a horizontal position.
  2. Reaction can be observed almost immediately. Thickening or gel formation indicates high somatic cell counts and likelihood of mastitis.
  3. Record results on chart.
  4. Contact your veterinarian with positive CMT results for assistance in adopting a treatment strategy.


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