Mastitis Flashcards
As average milk yeild has improved over time, what has happened to the incidence of mastits?
Incidence of mastitis has increased
What can be used as indicators of pain caused by mastitis?
- Increased heart rate
- Increased respiratory rate
- Decreased rumen activity and food intake
- Alterations in behaviour and stance
What class of drugs are licenced to control the pain caused by mastitis?
NSAIDs
List some important cow associated (contagious) bacteria of mastitis:
- Streptococcus agalactiae
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Mycoplasma spp.
List important environmental pathogens causing mastitis:
- Streptococcus uberis
- Streptococcus dysagalactiae
Coliforms:
- Eschericia coli
- Klebsiella spp.
- Enterobacter spp.
- Citrobacter spp.
What is the best way to keep the prevalence of Corynebacterium bovis low?
Efficacious post-milking teat disinfection
When are most contagious bacteria of mastitis spread?
At milking
What is the most effective treatment for Staphylococcus aureus?
Dry-cow therapy
What disease syndromes can be caused by Staph. aureus and which is most commonly seen?
- Peracute toxaemic
- Acute (moderate/mild clinical mastitis)
- Subclinical / chronic - most common
How should you treat chronic Staph. aureus infection?
Cull
What is the source of Streptococcus agalactiae?
Other cows, especially those with teat sores. Is described as an obligate pathogen of the udder.
How long can Streptoccocus agalactiae survive outside the udder (skin, milker’s hands, clothes, floor, etc)?
Up to 3 weeks
What is the most important mastitis pathogen is Australasia?
Streptococcus uberis
When are infections with Streptococcus uberis most common?
During the early dry period, calving and early lactation.
Clinical cases of coliform mastitis are often culture negative, explain why this is:
The bacteria may already be dead and it is their toxins that are actually making the cow sick
What source of infection is pseudomonas aeruginosa most often associated with?
Contaminated water
What should be at the top of your DDx list in a case of thick pus in the udder?
Truperella pyogens
Which bacterial species ca survive in chlorhex teat dip?
Nocardia spp.
How should you treat cows infecteed with Nocardia spp.?
Cull - no response to treatment
The feeding of brewer’s grain has been associated with which bacteria?
Bacillus cerus
Presence of Corynebacterium bovis can be a warning sign of what?
Inadequate teat disinfection and dry-cow therapy
What is the source of infection for Mycoplasma spp.?
Appears to be the respiratory tract of healthy, young cattle
What are reasons for failure of treatment for Staph. aureus?
- formation of micro-abscesses
- production of B-lactamase by the majority of strains
- can survive in macrophages and neutrophils
- the development of L-forms
- short duration of treatment
What are the primary indices for monitoring mastitis?
- Somatic cell count (200,000 cells commonly used as threshold)
- Incidence of clinical cases (unreliable)
What does the incidence of mastitis depend on?
- Which organisms contaminate the teat skin
- What opportunity there is for these organisms to enter the teat canal
- The defence mechanisms of the mammary gland