Mastitis in Dairy Cattle

Mastitis is one of the most common and most expensive diseases of dairy cattle in the world. One-third of all dairy cows are estimated to have mastitis. Mastitis costs dairy producers approximately $200 per cow per year. Nearly 70 percent of this loss is a result of reduced milk production, with the remainder coming from replacement costs, discarded milk, treatment, and veterinary expenses.

It is doubtful that any dairy herd, regardless of size or management system, is free of this disease. It is often the end result of the interaction of several factors, which could include humans, cows, environment, microorganisms, and management. So, what exactly is mastitis?

Mastitis is defined as an inflammatory reaction in the mammary gland. The inflammation in the udder tissue may be the result of bacterial, chemical, thermal or mechanical injury. You can browse https://www.lic.co.nz/products-and-services/automation/protrack-scc/ to know more about Mastitis In Cows.

Mastitis may be infectious – meaning it is caused by microbial organisms – or non-infectious as a result of physical injury to the udder. The inflammation occurs to destroy the irritant, repair the damaged tissue and return the udder to normal function.

While mastitis can be non-infectious, it is usually an infectious disease. An infection occurs when microorganisms enter the mammary gland through the teat end. Most cases of mastitis are caused by bacteria, but other types of microorganisms – including yeasts, mycoplasmas, and even algae – occasionally cause intramammary infections. The majority of infections are caused by a few types of bacteria.