Intramammary infections in the sow during the peripartum period.

The incidence and ype of aerobic bacteria causing intramammary infection (IMI) in two groups of peripartum sows were determined. The incidence of IMI in 24 sows near farrowing was 30.2 percent; the incidence in 16 machine-milked sows was 81.0 percent. Numerous mixed IMI were detected. The bacterium causing most IMI was Staphylococcus epidermidis, followed by beta hemolytic streptococci, aslpha hemolytic streptococci, Escherichia coli, and diphtheroids. The beta hemolytic streptococci and E. coli cultures were studied in detail. The relationship of bacterial IMI to agalactiae toxemia is discussed.