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Mammary · Cattle

Bovine Mastitis

Bovine Mastitis (Mastitis (dairy cattle)) is a mammary condition of cattle. Key signs are abnormal milk: clots, flakes, watery, blood-tinged, swollen, hot, painful quarter and drop in milk yield; diagnosis rests on California Mastitis Test and Bulk-tank or quarter milk somatic cell count. Good for mild cases caught early.

At a glance

Species
Cattle
Body system
Mammary
Also known as
Mastitis (dairy cattle)

Key clinical signs

  • Abnormal milk: clots, flakes, watery, blood-tinged
  • Swollen, hot, painful quarter
  • Drop in milk yield
  • Elevated somatic cell count (SCC)

Other signs

  • Systemic signs (fever, anorexia, recumbency) in peracute coliform mastitis
  • Hard / fibrotic quarter in chronic cases
  • Gangrenous (cold, blue-black) quarter — Staph aureus, clostridial

Differential diagnoses

  • Mammary contusion / trauma
  • Mammary neoplasia (rare)
  • Udder oedema (peri-parturient)
  • Teat-end lesions

Diagnosis

  • California Mastitis Test (CMT)
  • Bulk-tank or quarter milk somatic cell count
  • Aseptic milk sample for culture and sensitivity
  • PCR panel for major pathogens

Treatment outline

Strip the affected quarter frequently. Intramammary antibiotics (e.g. ceftiofur LC, cloxacillin, amoxicillin–clavulanate intramammary) per culture. Systemic antibiotics + NSAID (flunixin or meloxicam) for moderate–severe / coliform cases. IV fluids and supportive care for peracute toxic mastitis. Dry-cow therapy at end of lactation. Adhere to label withdrawal periods.

An outline, not a prescription. Check each drug’s dose for the species, the patient and the product in the drug calculator before use.

Prognosis

Good for mild cases caught early. Guarded for peracute coliform / gangrenous mastitis. Chronic Staph aureus often unresponsive — culling of persistent shedders may be required.

Frequently asked questions

What are the signs of bovine mastitis in cattle?

Abnormal milk: clots, flakes, watery, blood-tinged, swollen, hot, painful quarter, drop in milk yield and elevated somatic cell count (scc). Less specific signs include systemic signs (fever, anorexia, recumbency) in peracute coliform mastitis, hard / fibrotic quarter in chronic cases and gangrenous (cold, blue-black) quarter — staph aureus, clostridial.

How is bovine mastitis diagnosed?

California Mastitis Test (CMT), Bulk-tank or quarter milk somatic cell count, Aseptic milk sample for culture and sensitivity and PCR panel for major pathogens. Differentials to rule out include mammary contusion / trauma, mammary neoplasia (rare), udder oedema (peri-parturient) and teat-end lesions.

How is bovine mastitis treated?

Strip the affected quarter frequently. Intramammary antibiotics (e.g. ceftiofur LC, cloxacillin, amoxicillin–clavulanate intramammary) per culture. Systemic antibiotics + NSAID (flunixin or meloxicam) for moderate–severe / coliform cases. IV fluids and supportive care for peracute toxic mastitis. Dry-cow therapy at end of lactation. Adhere to label withdrawal periods.

What is the prognosis for bovine mastitis?

Good for mild cases caught early. Guarded for peracute coliform / gangrenous mastitis. Chronic Staph aureus often unresponsive — culling of persistent shedders may be required.

Sources

  • Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition

Last reviewed · VetMasterJi