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| Mastitis, an emerging threat to the dairy industry and its prevention | | India's dairy industry loses Rs 6053 crores annually due to Mastitis. Prevention is vital | |
by: Dr Suyash Vardhan Bhal, M.V.Sc (BV Biologicals)
Bovine Mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland (udder) in cows is the most common disease among dairy animals. It is caused by bacteria, fungus, mycoplasma or virus. Apart from cattle, sheep, goat, pig, horse, bitch etc., are also susceptible. In dairy cows, infection spreads from infected animal's teats to healthy animals through milking machine liners or human hands that milk them. The treatment is costly and carries economic burden on average dairy farmers in developing countries like India.
Mastitis not only decreases milk production but also deteriorates milk quality leading to huge losses annually. Two most common forms of mastitis are:
Sub- clinical mastitis: This is most prevalent in dairies. There are no observable abnormalities noticed but it reduces production and quality of milk. It is also called 'hidden' mastitis.
Clinical mastitis: This leads to great economic loss due to treatment costs, lost production and quarters and most importantly, discarded milk.
The economic growth of the dairy industry largely depends on the health of animals. Animals should have good immunity to resist infection. It is possible to achieve this through hygienic dairy practices. Unfortunately the majority of the marginal and large dairy farmers in our country are not very much aware about the hygiene of the dairy and the microclimate of the animal house, thus exposing the animals to a variety of infections.
Annually the dairy industry suffers losses amounting to Rs 6053 crores. Studies have shown that 30-35 % animals suffer from clinical or sub clinical mastitis in a dairy herd at any given time. Mastitis not only affects animal health but the infection gets transmitted to other animals because of unhygienic practices of the milkman.
Risk factors
The following factors may predispose animals to mastitis:
· Poor hygiene.
· Any injury to teat/udder during milking.
· Since bacteria are present on the udder skin and microclimate of animal house normally, any skin lesion on teats can lead to infection.
· Breeds having slung udder and long teats, which render more mechanical damage.
· Initial and end stage of lactation especially in crossbred animals.
· Incomplete removal of milk from the udder.
The following methods will reduce the proportion of infected cows and mastitis if monitored regularly at each milking.
Methods to achieve clean milk production:
Basic guidelines:
o Adopt sound methods of feeding, housing, milking and managing cattle.
o Adopt good general hygiene including cleaning of milking machines and milkman.
o Use a good milking machine that prevents 'reverse flow' or the 'impact' of milk droplets during milking
o Dip or spray teats of all cows in disinfectants like Dip in after each milking.
o Routine check up of milk through California mastitis test to detect sub clinical/clinical mastitis.
o Prompt treatment on Mastitis once suspected or detected.
o Renew the bedding materials frequently and do not keep cows in dirty place.
o Give antibiotic treatment to cows at drying off.
Advantage of clean milk in increasing shelf life:
Milk, which is hygienically produced or 'clean', has a better shelf life. This shelf life can only ensured by keeping SCC (Somatic Cell Count) under control, which is only possible by adopting hygienic dairy practices. Minimum load of microorganisms in the microclimate ensures lesser chances of infections like mastitis.
Any dairy farmer, who is interested in profits by enterpreneuring in dairy, must first think of clean milk production.
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