mastitis

12.07.2026

Cows that have had subclinical mastitis during lactation should be treated with appropriate therapy (antibiotics) immediately after the last milking. These cows should be carefully monitored during the drying period to verify that the cow's udder is healthy. A veterinarian should be consulted for advice.

There are two types of mastitis:

• Subclinical mastitis
• Clinical mastitis

subclinical mastitis

• There are no visible signs of disease or infection in the milk or in the cow's udder.
• In a healthy breast, the number of somatic cells is less than 200,000.
• When mastitis disease appears, the number of somatic cells increases.

Clinical Mastitis

• In this case, the signs of breast change are visible, such as breast swelling and pain.
• Body temperature rises, and in some cases, cows get sick

How much does mastitis cost you?

To answer this question, we first need to know the percentage of mastitis on our farm. Mastitis damages the dairy production farm in many ways:

1. Reduces milk production,
2. The cost of treating the disease,
3. The penalty on the price of milk,
4. Milk discarding,
5. The death of the cow,
6. Premature weaning of the cow,
7. The reduction of genetic potential, and
8. Lowering the quality of milk

Losses from Mastitis

• About 70% of total losses are caused by reduced milk production as a result of mastitis disease.
• Unfortunately, this loss is often underestimated by milk producers.
• Firstly, this happens in subclinical mastitis (the breast is infected but the milk appears to be normal), and secondly, the losses are due to reduced milk production, losses that are difficult to recognize

Why should the somatic cell count be measured?

• Because mastitis is often subclinical or "hidden."
• A number of tests have been developed to detect mastitis. Most tests determine the somatic cell count.
• Normal milk should have fewer than 200,000 cells/ml.
• If the somatic cell count is higher than 200,000, it is considered that the milk is not normal, indicating that there may be an infection.
• A high somatic cell count is associated with low milk production