Mastitis is the most expensive disease to treat in dairy farming. The worst thing with mastitis is that once the cow is affected milk production starts declining immediately and in the worst cases, it may never increase again.
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The best treatment for mastitis is through antibiotics but above all the main aim should be prevention. The antibiotics are super expensive which makes treatment unaffordable to many farmers.
The main cause of mastitis in dairy cows
Poor hygiene; The cow barn should always remain dry and clean. The udder should be cleaned thoroughly before milking. Milking equipment or machines also be cleaned thoroughly with hot water immediately after milking.
Poor cleaning of milking machines is the main cause of high mastitis cases in most farms that use them.
Incomplete milking; The main cause of mastitis in most small-scale farms is incomplete milking caused by interruption during milking. Interruptions interfere with the flow of the milk leaving some in the udder,
This done persistently results in mastitis.
Lack of milking; Some farmers or farm workers have a habit of skipping milking especially on hostile cows. This causes mastitis and loss of some quarters if not all.
Genetic. Some cows have high levels of somatic cell score which can only be reduced through breeding.
Symptoms of mastitis in dairy cows
The common signs of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows are;
Swelling, hardness, redness., heat and even pain. The milk may have a watery appearance, flakes, clots, or pus depending on the level of infection.
If symptoms persist, they lead to loss of quarters and milk altogether.
How to treat mastitis in dairy cows
The cow with mastitis should be milked last
All udders should be treated with mastrite as a preventive measure after every milking.
Cow burn should remain clean and dry. Sprinkling Magadi salt in sleeping areas helps control the bacteria.
Maintaining uninterrupted complete milking.
Breeding with bulls that have low somatic cell scores reduces genetic chronic mastitis.
In worst cases consulting a veterinarian is recommended to administer antibiotics.
Conclusion.
Maintaining high levels of hygiene, practising complete milking, breading and use of antibiotics in worst cases are the best treatments for mastitis.
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