Prevalence and Economic Impacts of Retained Placenta and Subclinical Mastitis in Tanzanian Dairy Cows

Abstract

Background: Three dairy farms were investigated for occurrence of retained placenta and subclinical mastitis, and the economic impacts attributable to the conditions. Reproductive performance data from 1169 calvings of dairy cows for five consecutive years spanning from 2014 to 2018 were used in this study. A total of 167 cows were screened with the California Mastitis Test (CMT), and udder quarters with CMT score of ≥ 3 (scale 1–5) were milk sampled for culture and final bacteriological identification. Results: Overall prevalences of subclinical mastitis and retained fetal membranes were 35.93% and 10.35%, respectively. The prevalence of bacterial isolates at animal level was 38.92%. Individual bacteria prevalence rates were 66.15% for Staphylococcus aureus, 13.85% for Escherichia coli, 6.15% for Bacillus spp., 6.15% for Streptococcus agalactiae and 7.69% for none typed microorganisms. Overall loss from subclinical mastitis was estimated at 10,603,800/= Tanzanian shillings (Tshs) equivalent to USD $ 4,700 with major losses (81.75%) attributable to the production loss followed by treatment expenditure (18.25%). Average loss attributed to mastitis per quarter was estimated at 49,320/= Tshs (USD $21.5). Retained placenta resulted in an increase (P<0.05) in the period from parturition to conception (148.7 vs. 96.0 days), number of services per conception (2.9 vs. 1.9) and calving interval (434.7 vs. 374.0 days). Conclusion: These findings point out to the economic importance of subclinical mastitis and retained fetal membranes in the dairy industry. This calls for improved milking hygiene, proper attention to health of mammary glands, regular screening tests and application of biosecurity measures as intervention strategies to lower the prevalence of subclinical mastitis and minimize the spread of pathogens in dairy farms. Since retained fetal membrane is an important problem causing great economic losses, appropriate control measures have to be instituted including cow comfort, proper immunization and careful nutritional management (mineral supplementation), particularly during the transition period.

Prevalence of Subclinical Mastitis and its Effects on Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cows during the Postpartum Period in Gasabo District, Rwanda

“…The current findings corroborate with that reported in a recent studies conducted in Rwanda in the same type of farms (55.6%) (Pascal Nyabinwa, Kashongwe, Habimana, Hirwa, & Bebe, 2020) and in Tanzania (51.6%) (Mdegela et al, 2009). The observed prevalence is higher than 38.9% reported in Sudan (Hussein, 2012) 15.0% in Brazilian dairy cows (Ruegg & Pantoja, 2013) and 35.9% obtained in Tanzanian dairy cows (Komba & Kashoma, 2020). However, the present estimate of SCMA prevalence in this study was lower than the previously reported SCMA prevalence in Rwanda (70.2%) (Ndahetuye et al, 2019) Uganda (86.2%) (Abrahmsén, Persson, Kanyima, & Båge, 2014) Kenya (64.0%) (Mureithi & Njuguna, 2016) and Ethiopia (59.2%) (Abebe, Hatiya, Abera, Megersa, & Asmare, 2016).…”

“…Mastitis in dairy cows is considered as one of the most important diseases resulting in poor production and reproductive efficiency (Ahmadzadeh et al, 2009;Halasa, Huijps, Østerås, & Hogeveen, 2007;Komba & Kashoma, 2020) and affecting herd profitability and sustainability (Dolecheck, García-Guerra, & Moraes, 2019). Mastitis is an inflammation of mammary glands and may be clinical or subclinical mastitis (SCMA).…”

“…In a dairy herd, cows with SCMA lead to suboptimal reproductive performance parameters: prolonged calving-to-first-oestrus interval, longer periods to the first service, longer calving-to-conception interval, a greater proportion of cows that remain non-pregnant in a specified period, and the high number of services per conception compared to cows without SCMA (Birmani et al, 2019;Schrick et al, 2001). This is an indication that poor reproductive performance due to post-calving conditions impacts cow's productivity, nutrition and therapeutic costs (Komba & Kashoma, 2020). Also, Asaduzzaman, Bhuiyan, Rahman, and Bhattacharjee (2016) observed that when a cow repeatedly fails to conceive, it becomes costly for dairy farmers.…”

Financial losses related to placental retention in dairy herds in Turkey

“…The incidence rate of PR was reported as 12.3% in Iran (Mahnani et al, 2021b), 10.4% in Tanzania (Komba and Kashoma, 2020), 8.8% in France (Fourichon et al, 2001b), 7.8% in USA (Goff, 2006), 6.6% in Netherlands (Joosten et al, 1987), 6.5% in Denmark (Bruun et al, 2002), 6.1% in India (Deka et al, 2021), 3-6% in England (Esslemont and Kossibati, 1996), 3.1% in Australia (Stevenson, 2000). So, the incidence rate of PR in Turkey is nearly at an average level.…”

Economic Burden of Livestock Abortions in Northern Tanzania

“…Our overall net loss estimates due to abortion in livestock in Tanzania of $131 million are about one-third of annual national loss due to Tick Born Diseases (TBD) estimated at $364 million by Kivaria in 2006(Kivaria, 2006. Foot and mouth disease was estimated to cause annual burden ranging between $351,000 and $531,000 (Häsler et al, 2021), mastitis was estimated to cause $4,700 with an estimated loss of $21.5 per quarter (Komba and Kashoma, 2020) and PPR was estimated to cause direct economic loss of $19.1 million in sheep and goats in one region of Kenya (Kihu et al, 2015)…”