Fight Bac aerosol teat disinfectant is a sanitary, effective and easy-to-use method that helps control mastitis and maintain udder health. Fight Bac contains chlorhexidine gluconate 0.4% in a soothing, non-irritating, non-staining base. The upward spraying dispenser never touches the cow so there is no chance of spreading infection from cow to cow.
FAQ'S
Q: How close to the teat do I hold the can when spraying?
A: Fight Bac is designed to be used ½ inch (1cm) away from the teat (see photo). The vertically directed fan shaped spray provides excellent coverage of the teat and actually displaces any residual milk at the teat orifice. This provides better contact of disinfectant at the teat orifice where bacteria enters the teat.
Q: One veterinarian says I should get rid of my dip cup and use a pump sprayer because dip cups can be contaminated and spread infection. Another vet says get rid of the sprayer and use a dip cup because my sprayer doesn't cover the other side of the teat well. What do you recommend?
A: Fight Bac was developed as a solution to the deficiencies of dip cups and sprayers. We know a dip cup can become contaminated and spread infection. Toward the end of milking, dip cups are often seen to be visibly contaminated and nearly empty. A dip cup may actually spread infection at this time!
Pump sprayers are more sanitary but often do not cover the teat well. Sprayers also can be tedious to use and wear out quickly.
Fight Bac is completely sanitary, quick, convenient and provides excellent coverage of the teat. The verticle spray displaces any residue of milk from the teat orifice, providing better contact of disinfectant at the teat orifice. The aerosol propellant vaporizes off the surface of the teat briefly chilling the teat which has been shown to enhance contracture of the teat orifice. No other method of teat disinfection does all of these things.
Q: How many animals will one can of Fight Bac treat? A: 300 cows, or 600 goats two cans of Fight Bac will treat as many cows as one gallon of teat dip.
Q: How expensive is Fight Bac?
A: Surprise! Fight Bac is very economical to use. At $10.00 per can, waste is eliminated, two cans of Fight Bac will treat as many cows or goats as one gallon of teat dip. The cost is directly comparable to $11.98 per gallon teat dip. There are more expensive products and there are cheaper unproven products. The fact is one case of mastitis may cost more than your teat dip for a year.
Q: If I switch to Fight Bac, how long will it take to see results? A: Fight Bac is an excellent teat disinfectant however no teat disinfectant will cure existing cases of mastitis. The purpose of teat disinfection is to prevent new cases of mastitis. If you prevent new cases of mastitis in the herd and animals that have mastitis are either cured, culled or go dry, you will see your somatic cell count fall after a couple of months.
Q: How do animals react to Fight Bac? A: Not a problem at all. Farmers tell me its easier to treat with Fight Bac than a dip cup.
Q: What about use in cold weather? A: Frost bite of the teat can be a concern in some free stall barns after cows are milked, teats disinfected and turned out into severe cold weather. The main factors contributing to frost bite of the teat are:
- how cold it is
- how strong the wind is blowing (greater wind chill)
- poor circulation of the teat due to udder edema in fresh cows
- how wet the teat is (this is the only factor we can control)
Fight Bac is advantageous in cold weather because it leaves less water but more glycerin on the teat than any other teat disinfectant (14% glycerin after the propellant rapidly vaporizes away). This keeps the teat skin healthy and protected. However, during severe wind chill conditions with any teat disinfectant it may be best to blot the teat with a clean towel before turnout.
Q: Some teat disinfectant products are damaged by below freezing temperatures. What about Fight Bac? A: Not a problem. Fight Bac is not harmed in any way by freezing temperature.
Q: Is Fight Bac safe for our environment? A: Yes! The propellant is a non chlorfluorocarbon product made by Dupont. It has been extensively tested for human and environmental safety. It is used in personal care products. The empty steel can may be recycled with household cans.
