Mastitis is a costly disease affecting dairy cows, impacting milk quality and herd health. Early detection and prevention are key to minimizing losses. While clinical mastitis presents visible symptoms like swelling and abnormal milk, subclinical mastitis requires milk testing to detect.
A five-year study in Denmark analyzed udder health using multiple milk characteristics to identify subclinical mastitis before it worsened. The study focused on:
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Somatic cell counts (SCC) – an indicator of infection
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Milk yield – reductions signal health issues
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Electrical conductivity – changes reflect inflammation
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Milk components (fat, protein, lactose, citrate) – imbalances suggest infection
Factors Influencing Mastitis Risk
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Lactation Stage: Early infections increase the risk later in lactation.
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Parity (Number of Calvings): Risk rises with each calving.
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Feeding Practices: Low-energy diets were linked to higher mastitis rates.
Somatic Cell Counts and Milk Yield
SCC is a reliable mastitis indicator. Subclinical mastitis is defined as an SCC of 200,000+ per mL of milk. Major pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli) trigger higher SCC spikes, while cows with past infections may show elevated SCCs even with minor pathogens.
Mastitis significantly reduces milk yield:
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Clinical cases: 15–18% drop
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Subclinical cases: 5% drop
Early Detection and Milk Changes
Mastitis damages mammary gland cells, altering sodium and chloride levels, which changes milk’s electrical conductivity. Monitoring these shifts can help detect infections early. Infections also alter milk composition:
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Protein and fat levels may rise as milk volume decreases.
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Lactose and citrate decrease due to gland damage.
Prevention and Management
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Maintain clean housing to reduce pathogen exposure.
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Follow proper milking hygiene and equipment maintenance.
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Monitor SCC and milk composition for early detection.
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Provide balanced nutrition to support immune health.
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Keep detailed health records to track trends and inform decisions.
Conclusion
Mastitis remains a major challenge, but early detection and prevention reduce its impact. By monitoring SCC, milk composition, and electrical conductivity, farmers can protect udder health, sustain production, and improve herd performance.
