MASTITIS

MASTITIS (Inflammation of the Mammary Gland):

• It is almost always due to the effects of infection by bacterial or

mycotic pathogens.
• It result from constant stress to produce milk
• While the udder is udder stress it is easy for germs or bacteria to
enter the udder through the canal in the teat end.
• It occurs after milking when the teat canal are not yet closed.
• The germs move inside the udder, bacteria multiply and cause
infection that irritates the animal, by causing inflammation.
• As the body temperature increased the somatic cell count increased
and if the organisms are not controlled immediately the damage the
healthy tissues of the udder.
• The damaged tissues is then replaced by wounded tissue that cannot
secrete milk.
Progression of mastitis infection
• Different types of mastitis;
• Sublinical mastitis
• Is the most common mastitis, which cause serious damage because
the cow shows no visible sign of infection.
• It affect the milk quality and causes low milk production.
• Clinical mastitis
• It is visible form of mastitis it can be seen without the aid of a
microscope.
• It can be detected by using a strip cup.
• The milk appear to have clots, flakes or string seen in the milk.
• The milk could also be watery.
• The infected udder might be warm show a swelling, be hard it is
sensitive to touch.
• Chronic mastitis
• It is a severe mastitis, the cow with chronic mastitis cannot be cured
of infection.
• The cow has to be sold for beef production.
The organisms that cause mastitis
• There are various types organisms that are resposible for the occurrence of
mastitis.
• The most common and dangerous organisms are:
• Staphylococcus aureus: this organisms is found in the udder of the infected cow and
spread during milking, by milker’s hand or the machine.
• The milker should disinfect their hand, when handling different cows and disposal paper,
towels should be used and teat cups should be disinfected
• Streptococcus agalactiae: Is the most common bacterium and is transmitted
by infected milk.
• Any one who come in contact will infected cow will spread the bacteria to
health cows by milking machine, hands, floor, bedding etc.
• Disinfect all the equipment, hands, shoes, towel to prevent the spread of
bacteria.