A Practical look at environmental mastitis

Abstract

General characteristics of each of 2 main groups of environmental mastitis pathogens, namely coliforms and streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae, are described under the following headings: detection by culture of milk; diagnosis of intramammary infection (IMI); rate of IMI; duration of IMI; prevalence of IMI; herd monitoring methods; clinical symptoms; and antibiotics. The relationship between these pathogens and the environment, and methods of controlling mastitis through measures such as decreasing the exposure of teat ends to pathogens, supplementation of the diet with vitamin E and Se, and management of the environment, are discussed.