Mastitis is the most common disease of dairy cattle and a major source of pain, with evidence-based pain management protocols dramatically improving welfare during treatment.
Mastitis causes intense pain through acute inflammation of the mammary gland. Without pain management, cows experience sustained suffering throughout what may be a multi-day treatment course. NSAIDs are inexpensive, have strong evidence for welfare benefit in mastitis, and should be used routinely alongside antibiotic treatment. This is one of the most straightforward welfare improvements available in dairy production.