Prevent Mastitis and Worms in Dairy Animals in Punjab: Surf Test and Four Month Deworming

To prevent mastitis in a milking buffalo or cow, Punjab's Livestock Department says to keep the shed clean, wash hands and teats with antiseptic before and after milking, empty the udder fully, and run a Surf Test regularly to catch it early. For worms, it says to send a dung sample to the diagnostic laboratory and deworm every four months.

Mastitis is a painful infection of the udder that cuts milk and spoils it. We read the department's FAQs page at livestock.punjab.gov.pk on 21 October 2026 and took these rules from it. We did not run the tests ourselves.

Six habits from the department stop mastitis

The department lists six measures against mastitis. They cost almost nothing, and none of them needs a purchased medicine. The only thing to buy is antiseptic solution and the Surf Test material.

If the animal is ill, the department says to contact the nearest veterinary hospital. Do not start random antibiotics from a shopkeeper, because the right medicine depends on the germ.

The Surf Test finds mastitis before you see it

The department names the Surf Test as the way to diagnose mastitis early. Its page does not describe the method, so we do not either. Ask the veterinary officer at your centre to show you once, then repeat it on every milking animal on a fixed day.

Early diagnosis matters because milk from an infected quarter changes before the udder looks swollen. A regular check lets you treat one animal instead of the whole shed.

1. Wash your hands and the animal's teats with antiseptic solution.
2. Milk fully and empty the udder.
3. Run the Surf Test as the vet showed you.
4. If it is positive, call the centre on 08000-9211 or visit the nearest hospital.
5. Wash again after milking and note the date.

The helpline and the free services of the centres are explained in the guide on free animal treatment and vaccines in Punjab.

Deworm every four months after a dung test

The department says a faecal sample should go to the diagnostic laboratory to find the internal worms, and the medicine should match the result. It also says to use a dewormer every four months. That is three doses a year.

The laboratory step matters because different worms need different medicines. The department's diagnostic page lists a network of one provincial, 8 divisional and 27 district laboratories. Ask your livestock office which one takes samples from your tehsil.

For external pests the department says to spray or bathe animals and birds with ectoparasiticides. These are medicines that kill ticks, lice and mites on the skin. Use the dose on the label, and keep milk out of the sale for the period the label states.

Seasonal disease is handled by timely vaccines and shelter

For seasonal diseases the department gives two rules: vaccinate animals on time and protect them from extreme heat and cold. With winter coming, that means a dry, draught-free shed and a vaccination date written down.

The department says the details of its animal vaccination schedule are in its vaccination chart. We could not open the chart image from the page, so we do not copy dates from it. Ask the nearest centre for a printed copy. For the shed in cold weather, the NDMA winter plan for the home has useful general cold-weather steps, but animals need their own plan from the vet.

Uterine prolapse needs a vet, not home pushing

On uterine prolapse, where the womb comes out after calving, the department lists four points: raise the back of the animal's body, give mineral mixture, use a truss, and visit the nearest veterinary hospital. The visit is the part not to skip.

Raising the rear keeps pressure off while you travel. Do not try to push anything back by yourself. Cover the area with a clean damp cloth and move the animal to the hospital.

The department's general dairy advice backs the same habits: a balanced diet with fresh water, a clean and calm environment, and vaccines on schedule. It also says a milch animal needs 40 square feet of covered space and 80 of open space, which keeps the shed from becoming damp and crowded.

Keep a note of every animal's Surf Test date and result. If two animals test positive in the same week, call the livestock centre about the whole shed, not just those two. The department's helpline on 08000-9211 is the number on its home page.

Common questions about mastitis and worms

What is the Surf Test for mastitis?

It is the test the department names for early diagnosis of mastitis. Its page does not give the method, so ask the vet to show it.

How often should I deworm my animals?

Every four months, after a dung sample has been tested, says the department.

Where do I send a dung sample?

To a diagnostic laboratory. The department lists one provincial, 8 divisional and 27 district laboratories.

Should I use a machine or hand milking?

The department says milking should be done by a specialist milkman or with a milking machine.

How do I kill ticks on cattle?

The department says to spray or bathe the animals with ectoparasiticides, and it points to the vet for the product.

Is there a number for advice?

The department's home page lists 08000-9211.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked 21 October 2026. We read the Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Department's FAQs page and its disease diagnostic and surveillance page. We did not find the Surf Test method, dewormer brands or doses, or the vaccination chart dates on those pages, and we did not call the helpline. Always follow a veterinary officer's advice for your animal.