Bovine Udder Health 4

Question 1

Overview of mastitis investigations.

Answer 1

• Data collection and analysis.
  – SCC.
  – Clinical cases.
• Diagnosis of the problem.
• Herd surveys – identifying risk factors.

Question 2

1. What does data analysis and pattern recognition allow us to find out?

Answer 2

1. Where the mastitis originates from.
   - Contagious.
   – Long duration, poor cure rate, chronic / subclinical (high individual or bulk tank SCC).
   – No seasonality.
   - Environmental.
   – Seasonal changes.
   – Higher new infection rate, less chronic cases.
   When the problem is occurring.
   - Dry period.
   - Lactation.

Question 3

How do we know if infection picked up in dry period or in lactation?

Answer 3

If mastitis (high SCC or clinical case) in 1st 30 days of lactation – infection picked up in the dry period.
If mastitis after first 30 days of lactation – infection picked up during lactation.

Question 4

Udder cleft dermatitis.

Answer 4

• Necrotising lesions between quarters.
• Secondary / haematogenous spread of bacteria can have serious consequences.
• Aetiology not well understood.

Question 5

1. Udder oedema.
2. Blood in milk.

Answer 5

1. • Not uncommon in heifers around 1st calving.
     - Can be quite uncomfortable – lameness.
     - Treat w/ NSAIDs.
2. • Rarely a significant issue – can be significant to the farmer as cannot sell this milk.
     - Trauma?
     - Manage other signs.
     - Can treat w/ NSAIDs.

Question 6

1. Teat peas.
2. Infectious insults.
3. Environmental insults.

Answer 6

1. • Minerals / fats from milk form a mass w/in teat – often mobile but can cause problems at milking / obstruct milk flow.
     - Farmers may request vet involvement to remove.
2. • Pseudocowpox, bovine herpes mammillitis (BHV-2), cowpox, FMD, warts.
3. Physical damage (standing on them), frostbite, chemical, milking machine trauma.

Question 7

1. Indications for teat surgery.
2. Considerations to be made with teat surgery.

Answer 7

1. Laceration and obstructions.
2. Teats do not heal very well.
   Anaesthesia – local techniques, sedation.
   Restraint / safe handling.