Mastitis is the most common reason for antibiotic use and culling in dairy cattle, causing significant pain that is often undertreated, and prevention-focused management is both welfare-positive and economically sound.
Mastitis causes acute pain in the affected quarter, with severe clinical cases involving systemic illness, fever, and prostration. The welfare case for prompt recognition and treatment including analgesia is clear. Many cases receive antibiotics without analgesia, leaving cows in preventable pain. A multimodal approach combining antibiotics, NSAIDs, and supportive care is welfare-positive.