C.A.H.L.
- YOUR PARTNER IN ANIMAL HEALTH
SUMMER
MASTITIS
Summer
mastitis is a disease of in-calf heifers and dry cows. The highest incidence
is seen over the summer period (July, August and September), especially
if warm and damp where the fly population is high usually close to wooded
pastures. The bacterium suspected to be mainly responsible, C. pyogenes
is a potent toxin and pus producing organism, occasionally found in
the tissues, including the udder, of healthy animals. On close examination
of the teats, reveals a mass of tiny red fly bites. This damage allows
the common mastitis germs, usually streptococci, staphylococci and Micrococcus
indolicus to multiply and grow in the udder. These bacteria may gain
entrance through the wounds caused by the flies, but more often they
are ordinary residents of the udder, having reached there the same way
as the summer mastitis germ from the tonsils via the blood, or via the
teat canal.
SYMPTOMS
Toxins may be absorbed into the bloodstream making the cow very ill.
Affected animals have a high temperature, a swollen udder and stiffness
due to joint involvement and friction of the swollen quarter against
the side of the leg. When the contents of the teat are drawn they may
vary from cheese-like to whitish yellow, to thick reddish and dark clots
and a typical rotten smell. Then and only then do you have typical summer
mastitis. The animal may be depressed, the udder may be cold, clammy,
secretions are scanty and difficult to drain.
TREATMENT
& PREVENTION
In most cases when summer mastitis is detected or diagnosed the damage
is already done. The first requirement is to remove as much as possible
of the toxins in the infected quarter. This is achieved by bathing with
hot water, firm massaging of the upper quarter to break pockets of pus
and finally stripping or drawing every few hours. This procedure prevents
the absorption of toxic materials into the animals system and clears
the way for the natural healing process to commence and for intramammary
tubes to gain access to the udder tissue. The infection may be so severe
that the teat may have to be cut off to allow drainage. Further means
to prevention of summer mastitis to the herd are application of teat
dips to dry cows every few days, spaying fly repellent on the udders
of suspected animals, inspect the udders of dry cows at least once a
day, keep all dry cows with the milkers in open fields and bring them
in with the milkers twice daily. Finally have as few cows as possible
dry during the period July, August and September.
