Cattle Mastitis Prevention Through Dairy Herd Management

Mastitis is the most costly and welfare-significant disease in dairy cattle. Integrated prevention programmes reduce incidence and protect cow wellbeing.

Key Facts

Mastitis affects around 40 cows per 100 in the UK dairy herd annually
Subclinical mastitis, detectable only by somatic cell count, is far more prevalent
Environmental mastitis from E. coli and Streptococcus uberis predominates in high-welfare systems
Selective dry cow therapy reduces antibiotic use while maintaining teat seal protection
Internal teat sealants provide mechanical protection against environmental pathogen entry

Welfare Considerations

Clinical mastitis causes acute udder pain, fever and systemic illness. Severe coliform mastitis progresses rapidly to endotoxaemia and death without prompt treatment. Chronic subclinical mastitis causes pain proportional to inflammation degree that is difficult to assess externally. Welfare-focused prevention combines cubicle hygiene, pre- and post-milking teat disinfection, selective dry cow therapy to reduce antibiotic resistance, and prompt detection and treatment of clinical cases. Somatic cell count monitoring at individual cow level identifies chronic subclinical cases for targeted management.

What You Can Do

Implement a mastitis control programme targeting the five-point plan with vet guidance
Use selective dry cow therapy based on SCC history rather than blanket antibiotic treatment
Maintain cubicle cleanliness and stocking density within recommended limits
Monitor individual cow SCC monthly to identify chronic subclinical cases early
Treat all clinical cases promptly with appropriate licensed intramammary therapy