Mastitis is the most costly and one of the most painful diseases in dairy cattle; prevention through hygiene, monitoring, and management significantly improves welfare outcomes.
Mastitis causes acute pain in affected quarters — swelling, heat, and inflammation of the mammary gland are accompanied by behavioral changes consistent with significant discomfort. Severe clinical mastitis causes systemic illness including fever, anorexia, and reduced milk production. Pain management with NSAIDs at diagnosis is now recommended practice but adoption is incomplete on many farms. Prevention is the primary welfare strategy: post-milking teat dipping, clean bedding, well-designed cubicles, and appropriate milking machine function all significantly reduce new infection rates. Early detection through frequent monitoring or automated systems (electrical conductivity sensors, somatic cell count meters) allows earlier treatment and better outcomes.