Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland that can be clinical or subclinical. It is caused most commonly by bacterial infections entering through the teat canal. The main forms of mastitis are contagious (spreads from cow to cow) and environmental (from bedding, manure, etc.). Mastitis results in significant economic losses due to decreased milk production, treatment costs, and increased cow culling. While clinical mastitis shows visible signs like abnormal milk and udder inflammation, subclinical mastitis is more prevalent but only detectable through milk testing.

1. Mastitis

5. 5
Outlines
 Introduction
 Mastitis
 Effects of Mastitis
 Mastitic Pathogens
 Form of Mastitis
 Process of Mastitic Infection
 Prevention of Mastitis

6. Introduction
Mastitis is Characterized by Physical, Chemical & usually Bacteriological
changes in milk and by Pathological changes in the Udder.
Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary gland & udder
tissue, and is a major endemic disease of dairy cattle.
The most costly disease of dairy cattle.
Olanpaka, Olanfula, Thunko in BD

7. • The incidence is high in 3rd lactation in cattle & 4th lactation in buffalo
• Large pendulous udder with external injury to teats make animal
susceptible to mastitis
• Mastitis is more prevalent in animals that houses in unhygienic
condition & hot & humid environmental condition
• Prevalence of mastitis very high in winter & low in autumn in Bd

8. Mastitis
An inflammation of the milk secreting tissues of the udder, caused by microbial
infections in one or more quarters.
“Mastitis” derived from the Geek word
“Mastos” meaning “Breast” & “Itis” denotes “Inflammation”
Mastitis: Inflammation of the mammary gland regardless of causes. It
is characterized by the physical, chemical and bacteriological changes
in milk and pathological changes in the mammary gland tissues.
Affects 25 to 30 percent of all quarters

9.  Mastitis is an infection (inflammation) of the udder caused by microorganisms
(bacteria) entering the quarter through the teat end.
 When the bacteria load becomes too high due to dirty environment or damaged
teats (allowing invasion), infection may occur.
 Most of the mastitis cases (about 95%) are subclinical (show no signs) but result
in lower milk production and higher cell count (an indicator of milk spoilage).
 When stress occurs, subclinical mastitis flares up and become clinical.
Mastitis

10. Effects of Mastitis
 Direct losses due to mastitis.
 Treatment cost.
 Discarded milk.
 Fatality.
 Repeated cases of mastitis.
 Decrease in milk yield.
 Milk quality changes.
 Decreased hygienic quality of milk and public
health considerations.

11.  Loss of the affected quarter when it becomes chronic
 Loss of daily milk production by about 60-70%
 Deterioration in milk quality: reduces use & sell of that milk
 It is very fast spreading disease
 It destroy the milk synthesizing cells & tissues and
recovery of that tissues are not possible
 Treatment of mastitis is costly & production after
treatment is not satisfactory
 Loss of the animal or replacements are expensive
 Treatment cost of animal increases
Economic Losses Caused by Mastitis

12. Miscellaneous = 1%
Components of Total Economic Losses by Mastitis
Milk production loss (Reduced milk production ) = 60-70%
Milk discarded or downgraded = 7%
Cows lost by pre-mature culling = 14%
Treatment and veterinary expenses = 8%

13. Immunity
Nutrition
Stress
Pathogenecity
Virulence
Housing
Equipment
Hygiene
Weather
Bedding
Host
Environment Infectious Agent
Determinants of
Mastitis
Determinants of Mastitis

14. Mastitis Affects on Milk Composition
Milk Production:
Decreases milk production by causing tissue damage, reduced lactose
production and scar tissue formation in the udder.
Milk Quality and Composition:
 Increasing somatic cell count, polymorphonuclear neutrophils
 Decreasing lactose, casein, & fat production,
 Increasing blood components such as Na, K, CI, bicarbonate, IgG & serum
albumin.
 Electrical potential disrupted
 Bacteria, blood cells and enzymes (Proteolysis )
 Lipolysis and globule breakdown (Off flavors)

15. Constituents Normal Milk (%) Mastitic Milk (%)
Total solid non fat 8.98 8.8
Fat 3.50 3.20
lactose 4.90 4.40
Total protein 3.61 3.56
Total Casein 2.8 2.30
Whey protein 0.8 1.30
Serum Albumin 0.02 0.07
Lactoferrin 0.02 0.10
Immunoglobulin 0.10 0.60
Sodium 0.06 0.105
Chloride 0.09 0.147
Potassium 0.17 0.157
Calcium 0.12 0.04
Normal Milk Vs Mastitic Milk (In Composition)

16. Measurements Normal High Somatic cell count % of Normal
Total solids 13.1 12.0 92
Lactose 4.7 4.0 85
Fat 4.2 3.7 88
Chloride 0.091 0.147 161
Total protein 3.6 3.6 100
Casein 2.8 2.3 82
Whey protein 0.8 1.3 162
Source: John. C. Bruhn .Extension Food Technologist U.C. Devis,1983
Effect of Somatic Cell on Milk Composition

17. What are the Health Concerns of Mastitis ?
• Animal health
– Loss of functional quarter
– Lowered milk production
– Death of cow
• Human health
– Poor quality milk
– antibiotic residues in milk

18. What Causes Mastitis ?

19. What Causes Mastitis ?
 Bacteria ( ~ 70%)
 Yeasts and molds ( ~ 2%)
 Unknown ( ~ 28%)
 physical
 trauma
 weather extremes

20. Mastitis is Caused by the Organisms-
Bacteria
1. Streptococci
2. Staphylococci
3. Coliform
4. Others
Strepiococcus pyogenes
S. agalactiae
S. dysagalactiae
Staphylococcus aureus
Escherichia coli
Pseudomonas aureus
Corynebacterium pyogenes
Fungi Trichosporon spp.
Yeast Candida spp.
Mycoplasma Mycoplasma mycoids

21. Contagious microorganisms
Streptococcus agalactiae
Mycoplasma bovis
Corynebacterium bovis
Environmental microorganisms
Environmental streptococci
Coliform
Opportunistic microorganisms
Staphylococcus spp.
Others
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Actinomyces pyogenes
Nocardia Species
Types of Mastitic Pathogens
Contagious
Environmental

22. Contagious Mastitis
 Primary habitat: bacteria live on/in the udder and teat lesions
 Poor survival of bacteria in the environment
 Spread from cow to cow, primarily during milking by milk contaminated
fomites at milking, sponge, milker's hands, milking machine
 Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactia, Mycoplasma bovis
& sometimes Streptococcus uberis are contagious mastitis causing
organisms.
 Usually chronic, subclinical mastitis

23. Environment Mastitis
 Environment to cow
 Incidence increases as the incidence of contagious mastitis decreases
 Primary habitat of bacterial is in the environment (feces, soil, bedding, water)
 Environmental contact at milking time or between milking
 Organisms from the bedding, stalls etc. gain entrance through fatigued teat
canals after or during milking to cause infection.
 Streptococcus dysgalactia, Streptococcus uberus, & Coliform
 (E. coli, Klebsiella) are a few the organisms that live in the environment

24. Forms of Mastitis
 This disease is seen in various forms or degrees of severity, depending on
 type of bacteria causing the infection,
 degree of tissue damage and
 amount of inflammation of the mammary gland.
 Mastitis is usually classified according to its visibility to the dairy farmer, i.e. clinical
or subclinical mastitis.
 Clinical mastitis can become subclinical if treatment is ineffective,
 Subclinical mastitis can become clinical at any time.
 The level at which a subclinical infection becomes clinical can depend on an
individual cow or how frequently and closely the milk or the cow is examined for
clinical signs.

25. Per acute: very severe and of very short duration, generally proving quickly
fatal
Acute: present or experienced to a severe or intense degree
Sub-acute: between acute and chronic
Chronic: persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
Subclinical: relating to or denoting a disease which is not severe enough to
present definite or readily observable symptoms.
Forms of Mastitis

26.  Changes in the udder and/or the milk are detected easily by the milker, i.e. clotting &
discoloration of the milk; reddening, heat, pain, swelling & hardening of the udder.
 Clinical mastitis can be mild, causing only mild changes in the milk, or severe, where the
cow becomes critically ill.
 Moreover, clinical mastitis may still occur frequently in the herd
 The level of clinical infection in a herd can vary widely over the season.
 It is common in cows during early & late lactation, & in the early dry period .
Clinical Mastitis
Sign of Clinical Mastitis:
 Swollen udder, & redness,
 Increased udder temperature,
 Pain,
 Abnormal milk etc.

27. Mastitis Clinical Syndromes
Per Acute Mastitis: sudden onset, severe inflammation of the udder, &
serous milk-Systemic illness often precedes the symptoms & sudden death
Acute Mastitis: sudden onset, moderate to severe inflammation of the udder,
decreased production, & occurrence of serous milk/fibrin clots, Systemic signs
are similar but less severe than for the per acute form.
Acute Form:
 Painful & swelling udder
 Mammary gland becomes hot
 One/ more teat or even whole mammary gland may be infected
 Changes in milk: Discoloration or abnormal color of milk,
sometimes blood in milk
 Chemical changes: Na and Cl content of milk becomes high
 Somatic cell count increases

28. Mastitis Clinical Syndromes
Subacute Mastitis: mild inflammation, no visible changes ill udder, but
there generally are small flakes or clots in the milk, and the milk may have an
off-color. There arc no systemic signs of illness.
Chronic form:
 Swelling, hardy and fibrous mammary gland
 Damage teats with fibrous tissue
 Complete destruction of milk secretory tissues
 Flakes of colored cheesy like mass in milk
Chronic Mastitis: chronic mastitis may persist in a subclinical form for months
or years with occasional clinical flare-ups. Treatment usually involves treating
the clinical flare-ups, or culling the cow front the herd.

29.  Do not show visible signs, i.e. the udder and milk appears normal.
 Laboratory tests are needed to identify the bacteria causing the infection & to show
changes in milk composition resulting from mastitis.
 Can be just as important as clinical mastitis because of the resulting long-term
loss in milk production from the infected udder.
 The farmer may not notice the problem because the milk & udder appear normal.
 Does not have too much effects on milk composition accept increased level of salt.
Subclinical Mastitis
The most common form of mastitis, more common than clinical mastitis.
No gross inflammation of the udder and no gross changes in the milk.
Decreased production and decreased milk quality.
Elevated SCC.

30. Subclinical
Clinical
Mastitis in a Herd

31. Absence of visual sign & symptoms
Abnormal milk
Swelling of the teat or
udder,heat,pain & redness
Acute Toxic Mastitis
Fever,anorexia,shock
Subclinical
mastitis
Clinical
Mastitis
Often causes
Abnormal milk
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Severity
of
Mastitis
Mastitic Infection

32. Effects of subclinical mastitis:
 A considerable decrease in daily milk production
 Changes in milk composition not significant except increase in salt level
 Decrease the hygienic value of milk
 In addition to increased costs with mastitis, there is also an importance
in the hygienic value of milk and other dairy products.
Subclinical Mastitis
Methods of Detection:
 Increased Somatic Cells
 Bulk Tank SCC
 Individual Cow SCC
 CMT
 Sterile Milk Culture
 Find mastitis causing organisms
 Antibody ELISA

33. How Severe can Mastitis be ?
Subclinical Mastitis
~ 90 -95% of all mastitis cases
Udder appears normal
Milk appears normal
Elevated SCC (score 3-5)
Lowered milk output (~ 10%)
Longer duration
Clinical Mastitis
~ 5 - 10% of all mastitis cases
Inflamed udder
Clumps and clots in milk
Acute type
major type of clinical mastitis
bad milk
loss of appetite
depression
prompt attention needed
Chronic type
bad milk
cow appears healthy

34.  Infected udder
 Environment
 bedding
 soil
 water
 manure
 Replacement animals
Where do These organisms come from ?

35.  Infected udder
 Unhygienic environment (bedding, soil, water, grazing
land, housing, manure etc.)
 Introducing new cows without clinical examinations
 Unhygienic milking conditions (dirty floor, unclean
milking pail, unclean hand of milk man, milking without
washing and drying of cow’s udder etc.)
 Milking with un-experienced milkman
 Hard and unhygienic floor of farm
Possible Reasons for Spreading Mastitis

36. Process of infection
Colonized organisms produce toxic substances
harmful to the milk producing cells
Migrate up the teat canal and colonize the
secretory cells
Organisms invade the udder through
teat canal

37.  Teat canal of milking cows remain open up to 25 minutes of milking
 Organisms invade the udder through the open teat canal immediately
after milking
 Migration of organisms into the teat canal & colonization of milk
secretion cells
 Colonized organisms produce toxic substances that affect milk
secretion cells
 The immune system send somatic cells to fight against bacteria
 Hot ,swollen, red & painful udder when defense system fails
 Simultaneously cows affected by fever
Process of Infection

38. Process of Infection

39. Damage of Alveoli of Udder due to Mastitis

40. How Mastitis Diagnosed ?
Physical examination
– Signs of inflammation
– Empty udder
– Differences in firmness
– Unbalanced quarters
Cowside tests
– California Mastitis test
Culture analysis
-The most reliable and accurate method

41. Diagnosis of Mastitis
 In acute mastitis the inflamed quarter & abnormal milk is positive evidence of
the presence of mastitis
 Since most of the mastitis begins as a subclinical form,
 it is highly desirable that it be then detected and proper steps be taken in
treatment and handling so as to prevent the possible spread of the disease.
 Much of this subclinical mastitis can only be detected by special laboratory
tests, requiring special equipment and skills.

42. California Mastitis Test (CMT)
• In this test milk samples from each quarter are collected in a clean CMT Paddle.
• The CMT paddle has four shallow cups marked A, B, C, and D to help identifying
the individual quarter from which the milk was obtained.
• The CMT solution should be reconstituted according to package instructions.
The CMT reagent reacts with somatic cell present in the milk to form
a gel.
California Mastitis Test (CMT):

43. Step 1: Take about 1 teaspoon (2 cc) milk from each quarter. This is the amount of
milk that would be left in the cups if the CMT Paddle were held nearly vertical
Step 2: Add an equal amount of CMT solution to each cup in the paddle.
Step 3: Rotate the CMT Paddle in a circular motion to thoroughly mix the contents.
Do not mix more than 10 seconds.
Step 4: Read the test quickly. Visible reaction disintegrates after about 20 seconds. The
reaction is scored visually. The more gel formation, the higher the score
The CMT reaction must be scored within 15 to 20 seconds of mixing because weak
reactions will disappear after that time.
How to Use CMT

44. N = Negative (No infections. No thickening of the mixture. 100,000 SCC)
T = Trace (Possible infections. Slight thickening of the mixture. Trace reaction seems to
disappear with continued rotation of the paddle. 300,000 SCC
Example: If all four quarters read trace there is no infection. If one or two quarters read
trace, infections are possible.
1 = Weak Positive (Infected. Distinct thickening of the mixture, but no tendency to form a
gel. If CMT paddle is rotated more than 20 seconds, thickening may disappear. 900,000 SCC)
2 = Distinct Positive (Infected. Immediate thickening of the mixture, with a slight gel
formation. As mixture is swirled, it moves toward the center of the cup, exposing the bottom of
the outer edge. When motion stops, mixture levels out and covers bottom of the cup. 2.7
million SCC )
3 = Strong Positive (Infected. Gel is formed and surface of the mixture becomes
elevated (like a fried egg). Central peak remains projected even after the CMT paddle
rotations stopped. 8.1 million SCC)
Rinse Paddle (Remember to rinse the CMT paddle after each test)
Reading the CMT

45. Interpretation of CMT Scores
CMT Score Somatic Cell Range Interpretation
N (Negative) 0-200,000 Healthy Quarter
T (Trace) 200,000-400,000 Subclinical Mastitis
1 400,000-1,200,000 Subclinical Mastitis
2 1,200,000-5,000,000 Serious Mastitis Infection
3 Over 5,000,000 Serious Mastitis Infection
Any reaction of T (Trace) or Higher indicates that the quarter has subclinical mastitis.
CMT scores are directly related to average somatic cell counts. The following table
shows how they are related.

46.  Generally mastitis produces clots of varying sizes in milk which can be
detected by proper use of strip-cup.
 The first two streams of milk from each quarter should be expressed into a
strip cup and carefully observed for the presence of clots or abnormal
consistencies such as a watery appearance.
 The presence of clots should always be viewed with suspicious of mastitis.
Strip-cup Test

47.  Whiteside test is roughly correlated with the leukocyte content of the milk.
 It is, however, simply conducted, is inexpensive, and of value in detecting early
mastitis when good judgment is used in the interpretation of the results.
 In this test 5 drops of milk are placed upon a glass plate, one drop of 4%
NaOH solution is added by means of a medium dropper,
 The mixture is stirred for about 20 seconds with a small tooth pick or stirring rod.
 Normal milk will give a homogenous mixture following stirring.
 Clumps of varying sizes will indicate subclinical mastitis.
Whiteside Test

48.  Skill milkman are able to detect any changes in udder by simple palpation.
 If the udder or a quarter of a udder become slightly congested or nodules are
felt inside the udder then it can be suspected as mastitis infection.
 This field tests don’t give any indication about the type of organism that may be
involved.
 More accurate laboratory tests together with skilled bacteriological examinations
are necessary for a complete diagnosis of mastitis.
Palpation Test

49.  Reduction of the duration of the infection
 Treating all the quarter of the cow during dry-off season
 Treatment of the clinical cases
 Culling of the chronic cases
 Reduction of future causes of the infection
 Maintaining of hygienic condition during milking period
 Washing of cows udder with warm water
 Disinfection of milk utensils and milking machine
 Disinfection of the teat cup specially
 Should be economically advantageous to the farm
 Has to simple and technical skill and understanding
Basic Principles in Prevention Program

50.  Manage the pre-disposing factors of mastitis properly
 Don’t milk cows in unhygienic condition
 Before milking, clean the udder well with clean water
and wipe dry with clean towel.
 Should use separate cloth, towel for each animal
 Disposable paper towel is also an option. Repeated
use of unclean towel may itself predispose to mastitis
 Milking should be quick, complete & hygienic
 Milk animals with chronic mastitis at the end
Prevention of Mastitis

51.  Don’t mix milk of affected cows with others
 Carry out teat dipping or spray immediately after milking
 Prevent the animal from sitting for at least 30-45 minutes after milking.
 Periodically check and treat for sub-clinical mastitis
 Keep the floor of the cattle shed without holes and as dry as possible
 Continue teat dipping/spray 2 weeks after drying off and start the
practice two weeks before calving
 Carry out proper fly control
 Manure pit should not be close to milking shed
Prevention of Mastitis

52. Line of
Treatment of
Mastitis
Vitamin A&C Antibiotic
Anti-Inflammatic
Drug
Oxytocine
Fluid Therapy
Mastitis Treatment

53. The general line of treatment is as follows:
 Mild cases of clinical mastitis may not require treatment
 Milk may be cultured for microbial sensitivity of antibiotics and treatment given
accordingly
 Intramammary infusion containing ampicillin, amoxicillin, cloxacillin, penicillin,
tetracycline, erythromycin, tylosin, gentamycin, neomycin or nitrofurazones etc.
 For better result, antibiotics by parental route may be used
 Acute and per-acute mastitis may be treated with antimicrobials and always
require fluid and electrolytes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents
 Antihistaminics
Mastitis Treatment

54. Mastitis Treatment
IMM Therapy
-Injection of antibiotics into udder
Systemic Therapy
-Antibiotics IV or IM
Supportive Therapy
-Remove toxins - Frequent milkout
-Treat dehydration, swelling and pain
-Know bug
 Lactational Therapy
-Likelihood of success?
Dry Cow Therapy
-Larger dose, longer acting product

55.  Masticare (powder) 30gm twice daily/3-5 days
 Mastikort, Mastijet, Mastinil, Mastilex (Infusion) – Infuse 1 syringe
after complete milking for 4 days
 Diadin, Pronapen Vet, Amcox vet, Keto-A-Vet,- Injection for 3-5 days

56.  Two vaccine named Startvac & Topvac has given in mastitis
 First vaccine: at 45 days before the expected parturition date
 Second vaccine: 35 days thereafter (corresponding to 10 days
before the expected parturition date)
 Third vaccine:62 days after the second vaccine (equivalent to 52
days after post-parturition)
Vaccination for Mastitis
Administration route and dose:
Route: Intramuscular into the neck muscle (the injections should be
preferably administered on the alternative sides of the neck)
Dose: 2 ml per cattle (Both heifers and cows).

57.  Dipal is a conventional iodine-based teat dip solution,
 Offering a fast kill of bacteria, spores & other mastitis-causing microbes.
 Dipal is available in ready-to-use solutions, concentrates & formulations with increased
emollient content, for even better teat skin conditioning.
 Washing of udder with dipal solution generally done after milking
 Take 50 ml of dipal solution & 250 ml of water in a dip cup & mix properly
 Then use it after milking & it makes a thin layer around the whole udder that prevents
the entrance of microbes through teat canal up to 45 min.
Use of Dipal Solution

58.  Through & complete milking which is followed by dry off teats after each
milking
 The udder & perineal region of the cow should be washed properly with
warm water before milking
 Milkers hand & cloths should be washed with soap & water before each
milking
 Detection in infection and culling of the infected animal should be practiced
 Young cow should be milked before than older one, then the newly introduced
one should be milked separately and suspected and known cases should be
milked at the last
 For the reduction of infection. frequent testing of the fluid milk from the
udder teat of all cows should be practiced
Maintenance of Sanitary Condition during Milking

59. Hygienic & Proper Milking Procedure
Area of Udder
to be Cleaned

60. 1. Milking Hygiene
 Prepare the udder to be milked. The appropriate use of pre-
dipping is very important
 Single use of towels
 Use of gloves
 Dry teats before milking or inserting the milking machine
2. Good Milking System
 Milking equipment should be adequate in size, functioning
properly, and regularly cleaned and maintained
3.Good use of Machinery
 Apply and remove machine carefully
 Remove machine when cow is milked out, shut off vacuum at
claw before removal
The 10 Steps to Mastitis Control

61. 4. Pre-dipping
 Effective teat disinfection reduces somatic cell count (SCC).
5. Monitor Mastitis Trough SCC
 Monitor your mastitis score of CMT regularly
6. Treat clinical Mastitis
 Treat clinical cows with a qualified Veterinarian. Withhold treated
cows' milk from milk supply chain until recovery.
The 10 Steps to Mastitis Control

62. 7. Eliminate Chronic Cows from the Herd or Milk Them Last
 Segregate chronic mastitis cows, milk them last, cull when necessary
 Cows with chronic mastitis serve as reservoirs of organisms and could
infect susceptible cows
8. Dry Cow Therapy
 Dry treat each quarter using partial insertion techniques with an approved
dry cow treatment at drying off.
 Cure rate is twice high as that during lactation Lowers the risk of clinical
and subclinical mastitis during subsequent lactation
The 10 Steps to Mastitis Control

63. 9. Keep Environment Clean as Much as Possible
 Keep cow’s clean, udders free from soil and manure.
 Fence off wet, swampy areas.
 Keep free stalls and stanchions bedded properly.
 Keep calving areas clean, properly bedded (straw preferred)
10. Good Nutrition
 Properly feed and care for cows.
 It has been shown by different studies that there is an association between
mastitis and supplementation with vitamins and minerals
Mastitis is a management problem and can be controlled. Mastitis control
and quality milk production depend on keeping excellent hygiene
standards. Prevention programs work if followed correctly.
The 10 Steps to Mastitis Control

64. Summary
Mastitis is primarily a management problem
Mastitis can be controlled
Prevention programs work best when correctly followed
“Clean Environment & Proper Management
Protects the Animal from Mastitis”
“Better management practices will reduce the incidence of mastitis”

65. Mastitis Protected Udder

66. Mastitis Free Cow