Increased mastitis in a 1700-cow dairy with validation of a newly developed treatment decision tool

Abstract

A New York dairy producer requested a milk quality work-up by Quality Milk Production Services due to a high rate of clinical mastitis and high number of cows in the treatment group. Preliminary data analysis showed that the herd had a 305-day mature equivalent production of 27769lbs, an average somatic cell count (SCC) of 361,000, and a new subclinical infection rate of 9%. Clinical mastitis was being detected by observation of abnormal milk and mammary gland swelling by milking staff and treated using a 4 day course of Spectramast LC, an intramammary ceftiofur, by the herdsman. Thorough records analysis, milking parlor evaluation, udder health and hygiene scoring, housing and bedding assessment, equipment monitoring, and bacteriological culturing was completed by a team of trained veterinarians and students. Along with general recommendations made for improving milk quality, a novel treatment decision tool to decrease treatments and maintain cure rates is proposed.