Risk Factors for Peripartum Mastitis in Pasture-Grazed Dairy Heifers

Abstract

A longitudinal observational field study was conducted using 708 heifers in 30 spring-calving dairy herds in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors for subclinical and clinical mastitis (CM) in the peripartum period using path analysis methods and to find the factors most important at the population level as a basis for potential control programs. Body condition and udder hygiene scores, blood samples, and quarter mammary secretion samples for bacteriology were collected approximately 3 wk before the planned start of the seasonal calving period and again within 5 d following calving. Additionally, milk samples were collected from quarters diagnosed with CM within 14 d of calving. Significant risk factors for subclinical mastitis postcalving were precalving subclinical mastitis (3.32 incidence risk ratio; IRR), low minimum teat height above the ground (1.32 IRR), and unhygienic udder postcalving (1.32 IRR). Significant risk factors for clinical mastitis postcalving were precalving subclinical mastitis (2.14 IRR), Friesian breed (1.94 IRR), low minimum teat height above the ground (2.05 IRR), udder edema (1.81 IRR), and low postcalving nonesterified fatty acid serum concentration (1.55 IRR). Control of precalving subclinical mastitis and udder edema by producers, and enhancement of breed immunity by geneticists were important factors at a population level, and hence, are likely the most rewarding areas to target in any heifer mastitis management program.

Ultrasound Imaging of Mammary Glands in Dairy Heifers at Different Stages of Growth

“…Prepartum IMI could be one of the risk factors for clinical and subclinical mastitis in heifers [8], and some studies indicated that IMI in unbred heifers could be associated with reduction in alveolar epithelial and luminal areas and increase in connective tissue stroma [6,29].…”

Molecular Characterization and Toxicity Confirmation of LukM/F′-PV Producing Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Bovine Mastitis Samples in Mysore, India

“…As reported, mastitis is found to be more predominant in Friesian breeds when compared to Jersey and Ayrshire heifers [13]. In general, the cows more than 10 years were prone to subclinical phase than the younger ones and which have calved more than seven had a greater chance for developing udder infections with more possibility for the mounting of clinical mastitis during the first 3 months of lactation [14,15].…”

Scientific report on the effects of farming systems on dairy cow welfare and disease

“…In another study, cow cleanliness, udder cleanliness, and SCC scores were not different for docked heifers compared with intact heifers . No significant differences were observed in SCC, udder cleanliness, or intramammary infection between docked and intact cattle (Schreiner and Ruegg, 2002;Compton et al, 2007).…”