Prevalence of Subclinical mastitis in selected areas of Ampara district

Abstract

Subclinical mastitis (SM) is a non-symptomatic form of intramammary inflammation in the udder or teat, that affects 20–50% of cows in given herds. The majority of mastitis is of bacterial origin, accounting for more than 90% of all mastitis diagnosis. This study was conducted from 1st of October 2020 to 31st of April 2021. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sub clinical mastitis in semi intensively managed cattle farms in Randomly selected Government Veterinary Ranges namely Damana, Ampara,Samanthurei, Navithanveli, Kalmunei and Irakkamam in Ampara District. A total of 24 farms were visited,236 milk samples were collected from all active four quarters from 60 clinically healthy cows on which California Mastitis Test (CMT) was performed. The results revealed that 47 quarters (47/236, 20%) were positive for CMT & 189 quarters were Negative. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis of cow level 41.6%(25/60), farm level 58.3%( 14/24) and quarter level 20%(47/236) were observed in this study. Further, 58% (35/60) cow level),41.66(10/24) farm level and 80% (189/236) quarter level was negative for the CMT test.These findings have demonstrated high prevalence rate of sub clinical mastitis in cows in the selected areas.Relatively higher prevalence may be due to improper mastitis prevention and control programs adopted by farmers. Further, the severity of the subclinical mastitis was graded as CMT 1+ being the most severe to CMT 3+ being the least severe. Accordingly, most sub clinically positive quarters had CMT 2+ readings 46.8% (22/47) while CMT 1+ reading 21.27%(10/47), CMT 3+ reading 23.4% (11/47) and trace 8.5%( 4//47)was less. And also in cows with 3rd parity showing 13.33% high prevalence of sub clinical mastitis from 25 total positive animals.Improper hygienic practices such as washing hands and udder, cleanness of cattle shed and surround environment, pre and post teat dipping and unawarnes may be the major causes for this kind of situation. Farmers should be educated on enormous economic losses occured due to sub clinical mastitis because nearly three times as that of clinical form and must be directed to a sound mastitis prevention and control program in every farm in this area. In this study, Subclinical mastitis negative farms and animals already followed standard mastitis control programme under direct supervision of Veterinary Investigation Center,Ampara using free issue CMT reagent teat dip solutions,proper dry cow Therapy and udder infusions according to the culture & ABST results.