Farm Animals

Cattle Mastitis Prevention Best Practice

Mastitis remains the most costly and welfare-significant disease in dairy cattle globally, requiring proactive prevention programs.

Key Facts

Mastitis affects over 30 percent of dairy cows annually in many herds
Acute mastitis causes fever, pain, and swollen, painful quarters
Subclinical mastitis causes chronic discomfort, reduced milk production, and immune compromise
Teat dipping, dry cow therapy, and cubicle hygiene are core prevention strategies
Automatic milking systems require robust mastitis detection algorithms to maintain herd health

Welfare Considerations

Cows with acute mastitis experience significant pain and systemic illness. Chronic subclinical mastitis causes persistent discomfort that affects feeding, lying, and overall quality of life.

What You Can Do

Support dairy farms with certified mastitis prevention programs
Advocate for antibiotic stewardship in dry cow therapy including selective dry cow treatment
Choose dairy from farms with transparent somatic cell count and mastitis reporting