Mastitis in Cows: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment. Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland in cows, often caused by bacterial infections. It leads to reduced milk production and quality, higher veterinary costs, and welfare concerns. Early detection, milking hygiene, environmental management, and vaccination are key prevention strategies. Treatment includes targeted antibiotic therapy and supportive care. Proper mastitis management ensures healthier and more productive dairy herds. Mastitis in Cows: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment. Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland in cows, often caused by bacterial infections. It leads to reduced milk production and quality, higher veterinary costs, and welfare concerns. Early detection, milking hygiene, environmental management, and vaccination are key prevention strategies. Treatment includes targeted antibiotic therapy and supportive care. Proper mastitis management ensures healthier and more productive dairy herds
2. NATURE OF DISEASE
• Mastitis is the inflammatory condition of the udder irrespective of causes.
• It manifests the changes in the milk color and consistency.
• Milk yield reduces abruptly and results in heavy economic loss.
• High yielding dairy cows are more commonly affected than low yielders.
3. CAUSES FOR MASTITIS
• A large number of species of microorganisms have been implicated as causes of
mastitis. They are bacteria, fungus, Mycoplasma and virus.
• The most important bacterial organisms causing mastitis are Staphylococcus
aureus, Klebsiella spp; Mycobacterium bovis; and E.coli;
• The fungal organisms responsible for mastitis are Aspergillus fumigatus; A.midulus;
Candida spp;
• Hygiene, trauma, complete milking and teat injuries may predispose this condition.
4. MODE OF TRANSMISSION
• Through the teat canal infection reaches the mammary gland.
• The normal inhabitant of udder and environment like E.coli under favorable
conditions multiply and invade the tissues produce much damaging effect.
• The skin surface of the cow may have many organisms and from where the organisms
may have the chance of invade through contamination by handlers.
• The contamination of milker’s hands, clothes and machine cup by milk from the
affected quarter may lead to the spread of the disease to other non-infected teats of
cow.
• Fly and other insects may also spread the infection from one place to the other.
• Spread of infection is possible through bedding ground by discharges of affected gland.
5. SYMPTOMS
• Swelling of udder as a hard mass.
• Swollen udder with hot and pain while touching it.
• Animal will not allow touching the udder and will kick while touching it.
• Swollen and reddening of teats.
• Milk mixed with blood.
• Milk mixed with yellow or brown fluid with flakes or clots with foul smelling.
• Reduced milk yield.
6. MANAGEMENT METHODS
Cow should be allowed in soft bedding following parturition.
Always the animal sheds should be clean.
Washing the udder and hand of the milker with antiseptic lotion (4% Potassium
permanganate solution) before and after milking.
The floor of the milking shed should be washed with running water.
7. The milker’s hand should be free from nail.
Cleaning and disinfecting milking machine and the teat cup, vessels after
each milking.
The healthy non-infected cows should be milked first and known infected
cows should be milked at last.
The complete milking should be done at every time and milk should not be
stored in teats.
8. TREATMENTS
Application of ice cubes on the udder surface.
The milk from infected teat should be milked out daily three times and
disposed safely outside.
Calf should not be allowed to suck the infected teat.
9. CONTROL MEASURES
Immediately after detecting clinical signs, it should be consulted with
qualified veterinarian .
The infected animal should be kept separately from other animals.
The calf should not be allowed to suck the infected teats.
The milk from infected teat should be milked out daily three times .
The healthy non-infected cows should be milked first and known infected
cows should be milked at last.
