21/07/2021
10 common causes of mastitis in the herd
Somatic cells are microscopic particles formed during the renewal of the glandular cells of the udder. Inside the udder, there is a constant renewal of cells — old cells die and are rejected. Therefore, somatic cells are constantly present in milk, even from a healthy cow.
The presence of a large number of somatic cells in milk leads to a serious decrease in thermal stability. This is especially important for the production of condensed milk with sugar and dry dairy products.
In addition, the increased content of somatics in milk indicates the disease of the herd with mastitis.
Causes of mastitis:
- Violation of the milking procedure
The milkmaid injures the cow's udder when she or he skips the first milk jets to control mastitis or incorrectly puts on and takes off the milking machine.
- Teat rubber
Poor-quality teat rubber or a new model that the herd isn't used to, injures the udder intime of milking process
- Udder hygiene
Using a common cloth to treat the udder of all cows in the herd, the lack of special hygiene products used after milking provoke the occurrence of mastitis
- Mechanical damage to the udder
There is a high risk of injury in pastures where animals are difficult to control. Therefore, regular inspection of the udder is especially important during the season.
- Conditions of detention
Dirty pens, poor-quality manure removal system, non-compliance with the temperature regime, poor ventilation - favorable conditions for the disease.
- Quality of the bedding
Thin bedding, which causes the animals to freeze, and irregular replacement of the bedding, in which the bacteria are bred, lead to increased susceptibility of cows to mastitis.
- Lactation period
At the beginning and end of the lactation period in animals, there is an increased release of somatic cells into the milk. Pay attention to the somatic indicators if a large number of animals are introduced into the herd at the same time after calving or a large part of the herd is being prepared for launch.
- Age of the animal
Animals older than 8-9 years are at risk of mastitis. It is important to monitor the average age of the herd and update the livestock.
- Animal diet
An unbalanced diet contributes to metabolic disorders, which affects the immune system of animals. The body's resistance to infections and inflammatory processes is reduced.
- Static electricity
One of the non-obvious causes of mastitis may be poor grounding on the farm. Invisible to humans, microdoses of electricity can adversely affect the health of animals. Check the grounding on the farm with a multimeter.
What should we do for the treatment of mastitis in the herd?
It is important to identify mastitis at the subclinical stage. It is necessary to check the somatic parameters in milk at least once a week in the laboratory or on the farm with the help of somatic cell analyzers.
If the udder is swollen or the color of the milk changes, it is necessary to immediately submit a milk sample to the laboratory to identify the type and nature of mastitis and antibiotic resistance. Based on these results, the veterinarian makes a comprehensive treatment plan for the animal.
MILKFOR filters also serve as an indicator of mastitis. The filter clearly shows the products of mastitis: flakes, mucus, blood clots. Regularly monitoring the qualitative and quantitative composition of mechanical impurities on the filter, we can make conclusion about the effectiveness of the measures taken to prevent and treat mastitis in the herd.
Careful and attentive attitude to animals, as well as modern production technologies and proper motivation of employees-the key to success on the farm.
