FieldDxBovine Mastitis (Udder Infection Dynamics & SCC Plotting)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
- Swollen, hot, painful mammary quarter(s) with abnormal milk.
- Subclinical cases have elevated Somatic Cell Counts (SCC).
- Plotting current month SCC (y-axis) vs. preceding month SCC (x-axis) reveals: new infections (upper left quadrant), persistent infections (upper right quadrant), and resolved infections (lower right quadrant).
Predisposing factors
- High rate of new intramammary infections (IMI) occurs during the early dry period (transition phase) and around calving, associated with open teat canals before keratin plug formation (which takes…
Treatment
- Administer targeted intramammary antibiotic therapy during lactation (for clinical mastitis) or at drying off.
- For chronic, refractory quarters, permanently dry off the quarter by infusing 120 mL of 5% povidone iodine (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 Flunixin
Prevention
Implement the 10-point control program: teat dipping, proper milking hygiene, dry cow therapy (250 mg cephalonium intramammary Dry Cow Therapy reduces S. uberis IMI from 12.3% to 1.2%), culling chronic cows (e.g., "three strikes and out" rule), keeping clean environments, and regular SCC monitoring.
Source
A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER (Passages 49, 52-59, & Images 8-9).
MSD Veterinary Manual — Mastitis in Cattle (accessed 2026-08-11)
Condensed and attributed, never reproduced whole. Open the full entry in the app.