Mastitis

What is Mastitis

Mastitis is the inflammation of the udder caused by a bacterial infection in a damaged teat.  The udder becomes red, warm and hard.  It can cause the milk to become thick, watery or bloody.  Dry and lactating cows are susceptible

      Healthy Cow

      Chronic Mastitis

From www.pfizer.com

Causes

·        Contagious Mastitis - Caused by bacteria collecting in a cow udder causing an infection.  Can be transferred to another cow through the milking process.  The type of mastitis causes subclinical (no visible sign of disease) and clinical (visible) mastitis.  Bacteria involved are Staphylococcus Aureus and Streptococcus Agalactiae

• Environmental Mastitis – Caused by bacteria collecting in the cow’s environment.  Mainly picked up during the dry period before calving or early in lactation.  Environmental mastitis causes clinical mastitis.  The most common bacteria that are involved are E. Coli and Streptococcus spp