Mastitis is one of the most common and costly diseases affecting dairy cattle worldwide. It is an inflammation of the mammary gland, commonly known as the udder, which can be caused by both bacterial and non-bacterial factors. Mastitis significantly impacts dairy farmers through reduced milk production and quality as well as treatment costs.

Causes of Mastitis

Bovine Mastitis are the primary cause of mastitis in dairy cattle. The most common bacterial pathogens that cause mastitis include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, and Escherichia coli. These bacteria can enter the udder through the teat canal during or shortly after milking. Poor milking hygiene practices that allow bacterial build up on teats provide opportunity for contamination.

Non-bacterial causes of mastitis include physical injuries to the udder from environmental factors like rough surfaces or blows. Declining immune function in older cattle also increases susceptibility. The transition period around calving additionally poses higher risk as stress and changes in hormone levels compromise the immune system. Retained placenta or uterine infections after calving can sometimes spread and cause mastitis as well.

Symptoms and Impact of Mastitis

The primary symptom of mastitis is abnormal milk consisting of clots, flakes or a watery appearance due to plasma proteins leaking into the milk. More severe cases show swelling and hardness in the affected udder quarters. The cow may exhibit reduced milk production, appetite loss and fever depending on severity of infection.

Subclinical or chronic mastitis does not show visible changes in the milk or udder but isdetected through routine herd screening tests. It is estimated that over 60% ofinfected cows have subclinical mastitis which cumulatively results in huge economiclosses to dairy farms globally every year.

Mastitis decreases milk yield on average by 12-13% per udder quarter during lactation and in severe cases can cause premature culling of the cow. Milk quality is also compromised resulting in rejection of bulk milk by processors. Treatment costs for medication, veterinary services and extra labor further add to the economic burden on dairy farmers.

Mastitis Prevention Strategies

Adopting proper prevention measures is key to controlling mastitis in dairy herds. Some effective strategies include:

- Provide clean, dry bedding for cows and sanitize cow yards to minimize environmental pathogens.

- Practice proper milking hygiene including teat dipping, drying and gloving during machine attachment to prevent bacterial entry.

- Follow milking order from uninfected to infected cows and wash clusters between cows.

- Screen cows at dry off and treat any subclinical infections prior to calving to reduce new infection risk.

- Cull chronically infected or repeat offender cows that increase infection pressure on herd mates.

- Maintain cow comfort and minimize stress especially around calving which elevates mastitis risk.

- Develop a herd health protocol including vaccination against common strains and antibiotic treatment under vet guidance.

- Maintain good records of mastitis incidence, causes and treatment history to monitor trends and response to interventions over time.

Mastitis poses huge costs to dairy producers worldwide both directly due to treatment costs and milk loses, as well as indirectly through reduced animal welfare and productivity. A multipronged approach focusing on both prevention and control is recommended to achieve mastitis reductions. Further research aimed at developing new diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatment therapies will aid ongoing mastitis management efforts on dairy farms. With diligent attention, the impacts of this troublesome disease can be substantially curtailed.

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