Mastitis is the most common and costly disease in dairy cattle, causing significant pain and suffering that is largely preventable with good management.
Mastitis causes significant pain ranging from the uncomfortable chronic inflammation of subclinical cases to the severe systemic illness of clinical cases. Cows with mastitis experience reduced mobility, altered posture, and reduced willingness to eat. Most mastitis is preventable through good milking hygiene and management. Treating mastitis promptly and appropriately reduces suffering duration.