| abstract |
The disclosed teat sealer comprises: a major amount (e.g.>65 wt.-%) aqueous solvent medium, and more than 1 wt.-% but less than about 16 wt.-% (preferably 2-12 wt.-%) partially hydrolyzed grade polyvinyl alcohol containing at least about 2 mole-% (e.g. 4-30 mole-%) residual vinyl acetate units dissolved in the aqueous medium. an antimicrobially effective amount (e.g. 0.1-10%) of antimicrobial agent, such as a biguanidine salt which is compatible with aqueous polyvinyl alcohol; from 0 to about 10% by weight of an opacifying agent such as a polymeric latex containing 15-70% by weight polymer solids, the latax being uniformly distributed through the aqueous medium in a stable manner, and optionally (but preferably) a water-soluble dye dissolved in the aqueous medium to impart to the composition a color such as blue. This teat sealing composition is effective against a variety of mastitis organisms and is strongly adherent to bovine teat skin under field conditions but is also easily removed with a simple water-washing technique. In using the composition, the teats of the animal are coated in a conventional manner, and the resulting coating is permitted to dry to an adherent film. A plug-like deposit forms at the teat end. This deposit adheres even more strongly to the animal's teats than the rest of the coating. |