Microbiología Médica y Diagnóstico

Screening of Bovine Mastitis in Lactating Dairy Cows in and around Debra TSIGE Town, North Ethiopia

Abstract

Tadele Kabeta, Kebebew Tasow, Hawi Jaleta and Abay Bashew

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland caused by pathogenic microorganism, occurs in all mammalian species but particularly important in dairy cattle. A cross sectional study design was conducted from June 2015 to September 2015 to screening bovine mastitis in randomly selected dairy farms in and around D/Tsige town. About 384 (118 cross, 153 Exotic, 113 local breed) of lactating cows were included in the study. Prevalence of the clinical mastitis was determined through examination of abnormalities of milk and udder of cows; and California mastitis test to diagnose sub-clinical mastitis. The overall prevalence of clinical mastitis was 9.64% and 9.63% at cow and quarter level respectively. Of the 1536 quarters examined, prevalence of clinical mastitis, sub clinical mastitis and blind quarters (non-functional teats) were found to be 9.63%, 33.85% and 1.2%, respectively. On cow basis, out of 384 lactating cows, 167 (43.49%) cows had abnormalities in their udder, teats and milk as evidence of clinical mastitis. The prevalence of mastitis at cow level was higher in exotic breeds (39.8%) and those were found in late lactation stage (42.2%), parity number was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). In the present study, there was high prevalence of sub clinical mastitis that result losing of milk production and cause economic lose to the dairy farm. In view of this, the routine test of dairy cows, and preventive and control measures are recommended to reduce the prevalence of clinical and sub clinical mastitis in dairy farms in and around D/Tsige town.