The whole udder is washed and dried after full milking of the cow. Full milking ensures mechanical washing of the teat canal. The end of each teat is disinfected with a swab of 70% alcohol and wiped dry with a sterile tampon. The smear sample is taken first from the teats nearest to the operator before proceeding to those on the off side. Discard any streams of milk left in each quarter before introducing a sterile cotton swab in the teat canal to take the smear. The hands should be washed in mild disinfectant between animals.