Farm Animals

Mastitis Prevention and Dairy Welfare

Mastitis - inflammation of the udder - is the most economically costly disease in dairy farming and causes significant pain, requiring both prevention and prompt treatment protocols.

Key Facts

Mastitis affects around one third of dairy cows in their lifetime
Subclinical mastitis causing no visible symptoms may be chronically painful
Cell count monitoring provides early detection of subclinical mastitis
Prevention through teat dipping, dry cow therapy, and hygiene management reduces incidence
Treatment with antibiotics contributes to AMR concerns requiring responsible prescribing

Welfare Considerations

Mastitis welfare requires both prevention investment and prompt treatment of clinical cases. Pain management with NSAIDs alongside antibiotic treatment significantly improves welfare outcomes. Reducing antibiotic use through prevention improves both animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance management.

What You Can Do

Advocate for mastitis pain management protocols including NSAID use
Support dairy welfare certification that requires mastitis monitoring and treatment standards
Engage with the connection between mastitis management and antimicrobial resistance