Detecting and managing clinical mastitis

In this final topic, we will explore how to detect and manage cases of clinical mastitis:

Remember:

• Mastitis can be detected by:
  • changes in milk (clots or discoloured milk persisting more than three squirts)
  • the udder (swollen, redness, heat and/or pain)
  • cow behaviour (abnormal walking, stepping and/or kicking more than normal)

• Some cows may not show any behaviour or udder changes so the only way to check them for mastitis is by strip checking

• Strip checking of cows may be done before or after cups go on

• Wearing disposable gloves reduces the risk of spreading mastitis

• Keeping milk off our gloves and disinfecting gloves between cows while strip checking is also very important to minimise the spread of mastitis.

Your on-farm coach now has a series of activities related to this topic for you to complete on-farm. They can download these activities from the 'On-farm Coach Resources' section.