Background and Goals
Mastitis is a prevalent and economically significant disease in dairy cattle, leading to reduced milk yield and quality. Effective management hinges on timely and accurate diagnosis. This case study examines the application of on-farm diagnostic tools to identify and manage mastitis in dairy cows, emphasizing the importance of early detection and appropriate treatment protocols. The goal is to equip students with practical knowledge to implement these diagnostic methods in real-world farm settings.
Materials and Methods
a. Subject: A 4-year-old Holstein-Friesian dairy cow in early lactation.
b. Clinical Signs: Swelling, heat, and pain in the left rear quarter of the udder, decreased milk production, and milk with clots.
c. Diagnostic Procedures:
- California Mastitis Test (CMT): Performed on all four quarters; the affected quarter tested strongly positive.
- On-Farm Culture: Milk samples collected from the affected quarter were cultured, identifying Staphylococcus aureus as the causative pathogen.
- Infrared Thermography: Used to assess udder temperature variations, confirming localized inflammation in the affected quarter.
- Mammary Ultrasound: Conducted to evaluate tissue integrity and detect abscess formation.
d. Treatment Protocol:
- Antibiotic Therapy: Intramammary administration of ceftiofur as per veterinary guidelines.
- Anti-inflammatory Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
- Supportive Care: Administration of vitamins and electrolytes to support overall health.
- Milking Practices: The affected quarter was milked last, and milking hygiene was strictly enforced to prevent spread.
Results
- Milk Production: Increased steadily over the treatment period, returning to baseline levels within 14 days.
- Clinical Signs: Resolution of swelling, heat, and pain in the affected quarter.
- Milk Quality: Improvement in milk consistency and reduction in clot formation.
- Microbial Clearance: Follow-up milk cultures were negative for Staphylococcus aureus after 10 days, indicating successful treatment.
Conclusion
The integration of on-farm diagnostic tools, such as the California Mastitis Test, on-farm culture, infrared thermography, and mammary ultrasound, enables timely and accurate diagnosis of mastitis. This approach facilitates targeted treatment, minimizes antibiotic use, and enhances overall herd health management. Early detection and appropriate intervention are crucial in controlling mastitis and reducing its economic impact on dairy operations.
Keywords
Mastitis, Dairy Cattle, On-Farm Diagnostics, California Mastitis Test, Infrared Thermography, Mammary Ultrasound, Staphylococcus aureus, Antibiotic Stewardship
References
- Ashraf, A., & Imran, M. (2018). Diagnosis of bovine mastitis: From laboratory to farm. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 50(7), 1517–1525.
- Zigo, F., Vasil, M., Ondrašovičová, S., Pecka-Kiełb, E., & Pecka, J. (2021). Maintaining optimal mammary gland health and prevention of mastitis. Veterinary Sciences, 8(2), 1–14.
- Bovine Mastitis: An Overview. (n.d.). ScienceDirect Topics. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/mastitis-in-dairy-cattle
Copyright
This case study is adapted from the article “Mastitis in Dairy Cattle: On-Farm Diagnostics and Future Perspectives” published in Animals (2023). The original work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
Disclaimer
This lesson paraphrases and adapts content from the original research by Ashraf and Imran (2018), Zigo et al. (2021), and ScienceDirect Topics. All rights to the original publications remain with the authors and journals. This material is intended solely for educational and teaching purposes. Any commercial use or reproduction of the original work without permission is prohibited. You can view the full paper here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10417731/
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