Mastitis in Dairy Cows: How to Identify, Treat, and Prevent It
1. What is Mastitis? Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, typically caused by bacterial infection. It is one of the most common and costly diseases in dairy farming, impacting milk yield, milk quality, and animal welfare. 2. Identification of Mastitis A. Clinical Mastitis (Visible Signs) Changes in Milk: Clots, flakes, watery or discolored (yellow, pink) milk. Udder Changes: Swelling, redness, heat, hardness, or pain in the udder. Systemic Signs (in severe cases): Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, dehydration. B. Subclinical Mastitis (No Visible Signs) Detected through: Somatic Cell Count (SCC): Individual cow SCC >200,000 cells/mL indicates infection. California Mastitis Test (CMT): A quick, low-cost paddle test to detect elevated SCC. Electrical Conductivity: Higher conductivity due to increased ions from inflammation. Bacterial Culture: Identifies specific pathogens. Key Pathogens: Contagious: Staphylococcus aur...