Bovine Mastitis (Contagious & Environmental)Clinical signs, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention in cattle.

Overview

Inflammation of the mammary gland, the most economically important disease of dairy cattle. Contagious pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Mycoplasma spp.) spread cow-to-cow at milking; environmental pathogens (E. coli, Klebsiella, S. uberis) come from bedding, manure or soil between milkings.

Clinical signs

Subclinical: Elevated Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) with hidden milk yield drops.
Clinical: Red, swollen, hot, and painful mammary quarter(s) with abnormal milk (clots, flakes, or watery/bloody fluid).
E. coli causes acute systemic signs but self-eliminates quickly, while S. aureus is persistent and responds poorly to therapy.

Predisposing factors

Susceptibility varies by age and stage of lactation (highest risk at drying off and early lactation).
Contact with contaminated milking equipment or environmental pathogens (S. uberis, E. coli).

Treatment

Lactation: Intramammary formulation effective against gram-positive pathogens (R-1); meloxicam (NSAID) for pain and inflammation (R-2).
Dry quarter permanently: Infuse 120 mL of 5% povidone iodine solution (0.5% iodine) after complete milk-out and administer IV flunixin meglumine (1 mg/kg).

Drugs mentioned: Cabergoline Cefquinome Sulfate Ceftiofur Hydrochloride Cephapirin Cloxacillin Flunixin Meglumine Pirlimycin Hydrochloride Meloxicam

Prevention

Implement the 10-point mastitis control program: (1) proper milking hygiene; (2) regular equipment maintenance; (3) dry cow therapy (250 mg cephalonium intramammary reduces S. uberis IMI from 12.3% to 1.2%); (4) lactation therapy; (5) cull chronic "three strikes" cows; (6) dry environment; (7) records; (8) monitor SCC; (9) periodic veterinary review; (10) set targets.

Source

A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER (Page 1906); ELSEVIER (Pages 1958–1980).

MSD Veterinary Manual — Mastitis in Cattle (accessed 2026-08-11)

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