MASTITIS

Mastitis is the inflammation (puffiness) of the mammary gland regardless of the cause. It is a big problem in the dairy industry. In most cases, it is a bacterial infection which enters through teat duct. There is no evidence of viral mastitis. It may be secondary mastitis. Occasionally, there may be mycotic mastitis with mycoplasma being involved.
Etiology
It can be caused by staphylococci, streptococci, Corynebacterium pyogenes and Escherichia coli.
Three different types of mastitis are mild, subacute and peracute mastitis.
Mild mastitis
The milk is normal and udder may be warmed. It may be slightly enlarged and may be localized to the duct. The milk may be peculiar or watery containing small clot and granules. There is no fever. The cow may be eating well.
Diagnosis
This is based on taking milk sample and checking on sensitivity.
Treatment
Give intra-mammary antibiotics (through teat canal).
Give systemic antibiotics intramuscularly. The disease may be self limiting.
Prognosis
Generally good for the cow and calf.
Severe/acute mastitis
The cow is not normal. It is slightly febrile about 104oF. The udder is painful. The animal has abnormal gait. The udder is swollen. It is painful to touch and warm to touch. The milk is peculiar. It is difficult to collect milk from the udder. The milk secreted is small. The milk may contain serum, blood and clot. The milk may smell, for example in case of Corynebacterium pyogenes.
Treatment
Strip the udder.
Give parenteral/systemic antibiotic for 5 days.
Give intra-mammary antibiotics after stripping.
Prognosis
The cow will live but affected quarters will not recover. Prognosis is guarded to poor.
Peracute/ very severe and fatal
The cow is ill and may be recumbent. The temperature is high about 107oF and the cow may be lame and not eating at all. The udder is enlarged and milk may contain blood, serum, clot and there may be gangrene development. The cow gets sicker and sicker. The udder becomes blue and cold. The temperature goes down and the animal is still recumbent.
Prognosis
Very poor. This is caused by Corynebacterium pyogenes or staphylococcus.
Treatment
Save the cow, not the quarter.
Give high doses of parenteral or systemic antibiotics.
Do not give intra-mammary antibiotics (because it is a waste of time).
N/B: Severe mastitis can be confused with severe hypocalcemia.
Control of mastitis
Subclinical mastitis can result into acute mastitis. In this case, there is no clinical cure. Make attempt to eliminate current infection.
Prevent new infections. Current infections are eliminated by treating clinical cases properly after doing sensitivity test.
Cull any cow with chronic mastitis.
Dry cow therapy: In this case, infuse cloxacilin into the udder the last time it is milked.
Preventing new infections: Hygiene is very important. Do all teat dipping in iodophore after milking. Dry off the teats properly. Any animal that gets infection should be challenged with antibiotics.
Use milking machine in good working order and service it regularly (once in a month).
Treat clinical cases as they occur.
Back flush the teats cups after each milking.