How to prevent Mastitis in cattle
There are several important steps which can be taken to help reduce the incidence of mastitis in dairy cows.
- Hygiene and cleanliness It is crucial to keep facilities clean. Cows should be milked in a clean, dry environment and milking equipment should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Workers should wash their hands before milking. Hygiene is of paramount importance.
- Environment control Maintaining a dry, ventilated environment is important for preventing mastitis.
- Adequate nutrition A balanced and adequate diet will provide a better immune system.
- Early detection It is important to detect mastitis in its early stages. Signs of mastitis include swelling, redness, and warmth in the udder, as well as a decrease in milk production. Early detection of mastitis helps greatly to prevent cross-infection to other cows within the herd. This in turn helps to avoid the use of strong antibiotics and expensive treatments of potentially more serious illnesses.
- Proper cow handling Cows should be handled properly to prevent stress, injuries, and other diseases that can increase the risk of mastitis.