Examination of the background and the effect of clinical mastitis cases in a large producing dairy herd

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the herd management practices associated with a sudden outbreak of clinical mastitis in a dairy herd in Eastern Hungary, to analyse the milk on a pathogenic profile and to investigate cow factor and environmental factors associated with the Clinical Mastitis. Given my interest in Ireland, this thesis/paper refers to published material and results from Irish cases of mastitis to supplement the information that was collected from the Hungarian farm. In order to rectify the problem a number of tests were performed, these included inspecting the environment and daily practices, inspecting the milking technique and performing a CMT test on the farm. We obtained 84 milk samples to analyse at the lab. The milk was analysed at the laboratory in Szent Istvan University by carrying out a full microbiological panel. When the pathogens were identified an Antibiogram was performed to check for the sensitivity of bacterial strains to different antibiotics. The farm in question had some environmental hygiene concerns and the milking technique of the workers on the farm needed to be improved. The milk sample analyses showed that Streptococcus uberis was the most prevalent pathogen isolated on the farm at 17.85% in the overall samples collected and 11.76 % had clinical mastitis. Out of the positive samples collected 37.8% were positive for Streptococcus uberis. As the most prevalent pathogen obtained was an environmental bacteria the focus of the study was directed towards the environmental management and control of the farm. The main factors noted on the farm were contaminated beddings and cows with soiled tails and legs which are all ideal for bacterial growth. Management practices associated with the clinical mastitis included the use of teat disinfection post milking dips, a higher frequency of cleaning and increased farm hygiene. Other management practices included tail clipping a daily check list and general hygiene control. After obtaining the results from the antibiogram the best treatments recommended were Synulox and/or Pathozone for lactating cows and Bovaclox DC extra for the Dry cows.