Udder sores, also known as necrotic dermatitis, are a moist, foul-smelling, necrotic lesion that can develop in areas of tightly adjacent skin such as the udder cleft.
Schmitz audrey
Audrey Schmitz
Editor / Progressive Dairy

Common locations include the skin between the thigh and attachment of the udder, between the forequarters or in the fold that is centered between the four quarters. Udders sore often occur with udder edema, friction and chafing with limb and udder movement. The rubbed skin will then ooze and anerobic bacteria will invade and flourish causing the udder to crust, scab and give off a foul smell.

After not being able to find an effective solution to treating udder rot, Heather Krogmann of Dusty Road Acres in Winthrop, Iowa, reached out to a “Dairy Moms” group on Facebook for ideas. Below is her question and the responses she received.

Heather Krogmann

“Hi ladies. I was just wondering how you treat udder rot. We have yet to find something that works. Thanks.”

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Fight Bac Teat Disinfectant spray

Allison Bredlau

“We use Fight Bac spray and apply it at least once a day.”

Cassie Rassau

“Yes. Fight Bac has worked really well for us too.”

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Steuart’s Wound Barrier for Udder Sores

Whitney Yager

“We use an udder rot product from Steuart’s Laboratories. It works really well.”

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IBA Re-New udder powder

Tricia Smith

“I use IBA udder rot powder.”

Kim Martin

“Re-New udder powder. It’s clorahexine based.”

Delouse powder or dewormer

Eliza Ruzic

“I have found pouring them with a dewormer or delouser helps.”

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Desitin

Breanna Schuld

“We wash and dry it really good and then lather it with the purple Desitin diaper rash cream as it has the highest amount of zinc in it.”

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Gold Bond powder

Bobbi Graybill

“We use Gold Bond powder.”

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Iodine wash and cornstarch

Jess Burton

“I wash it with iodine twice a day and rub cornstarch on it to dry it out. It takes time but seems to work okay for my Jerseys.”  end mark 

PHOTO 1: Common locations for udder sores include the skin between the thigh and attachment of the udder, between the forequarters or in the fold that is centered between the four quarters. Staff photo. 

PHOTO 2: Fight Bac Teat disinfectant spray. Photo provided by Allison Bredlau.

PHOTO 3: Steuart’s Wound Barrier for Udder Sores. Staff photo.

PHOTO 4: Re-New udder powder. Photo provided by Kim Martin.

PHOTO 5: Destin diaper rash cream. Staff Photo.

PHOTO 6: Gold Bond powder. Staff photo.

PHOTO 7: Cornstarch. Staff photo.