Control and Prevention of Mastitis: Part Two

Abstract

Current mastitis control measures are based upon good milking time hygiene; use of properly functioning milking machines; maintaining clean, dry, comfortable housing areas; segregation and culling of persistently infected animals; dry cow antibiotic therapy; proper identification and treatment of cows with clinical mastitis during lactation; establishing udder health goals; good record-keeping; regular monitoring of udder health status and periodic review of mastitis control program. Despite significant effect of these control measures when fully adopted, especially on contagious mastitis pathogens, these measures are not equally adopted by all farmers, and mastitis continues to be the most common and costly disease of dairy cattle throughout the world.

Subclinical mastitis in dairy cows in south-Asian countries: a review of risk factors and etiology to prioritize control measures

“…Isolation of infected cows is important to prevent new instances of SCM, as many pathogens for SCM are contagious. To control SCM in a herd, infected cows should be isolated immediately and provided with proper care and treatment (Abebe et al 2016;Dego 2020). Where space is limited, the affected cows should at least be placed to one side of the animal shed.…”

Bovine Mastitis: Examining Factors Contributing to Treatment Failure and Prospects of Nano-enabled Antibacterial Combination Therapy

“…8−10 Pathogens spilled over to environmental matrices are a cause of concern for public health as some of them are highly pathogenic to humans despite their origin in cows. 11 Besides, these bacteria have a high chance of acquiring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) characteristics as they are exposed to high antibiotic concentrations as part of preventive or prophylactic treatment regimens practiced in dairy farms. with infected/carrier animals or indirectly through the food chain has been reported.…”

“…Antimicrobials have been used extensively since the 1930s in livestock to avoid infectious diseases and improve animal productivity. 11 Despite the benefits, the extensive use of antibiotics in food-producing animals constitutes public health concerns due to the potential emergence and spread of AMR among bacteria. 11 In the US, Canada, the UK, etc.…”

“…11 Despite the benefits, the extensive use of antibiotics in food-producing animals constitutes public health concerns due to the potential emergence and spread of AMR among bacteria. 11 In the US, Canada, the UK, etc. (with some exceptions like The Netherlands and Nordic countries), intramammary infusion and parenteral administration of antibiotics to dairy cows (blanket dry cow therapy) is a routine practice during the dry period regardless of their health status.…”

“…Further, undercooked meat of culled mastitic dairy cows could also spread pathogens associated with mastitis. Several studies have shown the presence of pathogens in bulk milk tanks even after applying hygienic milking practices, pre- and postmilking teat disinfectant, and antibiotic dry cow therapy (curing existing infection with antibiotics at the end of lactation or dry period). − Pathogens spilled over to environmental matrices are a cause of concern for public health as some of them are highly pathogenic to humans despite their origin in cows . Besides, these bacteria have a high chance of acquiring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) characteristics as they are exposed to high antibiotic concentrations as part of preventive or prophylactic treatment regimens practiced in dairy farms.…”