Monitoring mastitis in cows -review

Abstract

Inflammation of the mammary gland leads to a decrease in glandular synthesis, which reduces the concentration of casein and fat in the milk. Subclinical mastitis can alter the milk's composition in varying proportions, depending on the pathogenicity of the causative agent. Detecting subclinical mastitis is a complex operation, as the external appearance of the mammary gland is not altered, the milk secretion shows no visible changes, and it appears physiologically normal. Through milk analysis, somatic cells exceeding the allowable limit can be detected, along with the presence of pathogenic agents, while milk production decreases, and the milk coagulates when boiled. In this animal species, subclinical mastitis control in dairy cows must be carried out regularly. For this purpose, the following methods are used: the R-Mastitest, the Californian method, the milk electrical conductivity method, and the total somatic cell count. Depending on the severity of the clinical manifestation, parenteral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as fluid and vitamin therapy, may be used. In general, the recovery rate for clinical mastitis is below 25%, not due to antibiotic resistance, but rather as a result of bacteria being isolated within the infection site.