Mastitis Flashcards
What can cause mastitis?
— Bacteria — Viruses — Fungi — Physical e.g. trauma — Toxins — Neoplasia
What can extreme cases of mastitis cause?
Extreme cases it can cause necrosis and sloughing of the quarter (gangrenous mastitis) and death
How can mastitis be graded?
Grade 1 (Mild) — Only changes to the milk only . Clots/ Change of colour / Change of consistency
Grade 2 (Moderate)
— Changes to the udder/mammary gland as well as milk
. Heat/ Pain/ Swelling
Grade 3 (Severe)
— Changes to the cow (Sick cow)
. Pyrexia (a temperature)/ Anorexia (decreased food
intake) / Tachycardia (increase in heart rate) /
tachypnoea (increase in respiratory rate).
How can sub-clinical mastitis be classified?
— Disease is present but no visual signs of disease can be identified
— Disease / infection is present but additional diagnostic tests are required to diagnose it
How can clinical disease be identified?
— Disease can be identified on the basis of clinical signs
What is seen in acute mastitis?
— Sudden in onset
— Often severe signs of disease
What is seen in chronic mastitis?
— Disease persists for a prolonged period of time
Usually subclinical or mild signs of disease
What are the two main categories bacteria can be classified into?
—“Contagious” Mastitis between cow to cow
—“Environmental” Mastitis pathogen exists in the
environment
What are common contagious bacteria?
–Staphylococcus aureus
— Streptococcus agalactiae
— Streptococcus dysgalactiae
What are common environmental bacteria?
— Escherichia coil (E. coil)
— Streptococcus uberis (Strep. uberis)
— Streptococcus dysgalactiae (Strep. dys)
What is the five point plan?
- Post milking teat disinfection
- Treat clinical cases promptly
- Dry cow therapy for all animais
- Cull chronically infected animals
- Milking machine maintenance
