PREVENTION of mastitis in cows should be a priority on every dairy farm, says member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Dr Paul Colville.
According to the Australian Breastfeeding Association, mastitis in cows happens as a result of a blocked milk duct that hasn’t cleared. Some of the milk banked up behind the blocked duct can be forced into nearby breast tissue, causing the tissue to become inflamed.
The inflammation is called mastitis.
Infection may or may not be present.
Dr Colville, during his presentation at the World Antibiotics Awareness Week mini seminar at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay convention centre yesterday, said mastitis in cows could be reduced by simple management.
“Simple management practices could help reduce mastitis cases and limit the need for antimicrobial usage,” he said.
Dr Colville said mastitis in cows could be prevented by regular servicing and maintenance of milking machines and using antiseptic teat dip or spray after every milking.
“Basic treatment involves antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and fluid therapy which is the oral or intravenous fluids in severe cases,” he said.
Dr Colville said inflammatory changes in the milk could be detected by testing somatic cell counts (immune and inflammatory cells) that increased during mastitis infections.
