How to control bovine mastitis?

One of the ways to control and prevent the spread of bovine mastitis is through a previous diagnosis and in an agile way. Thus, carrying out regular inspections on dairy cows, applying tests with safe and effective identification, is a measure that greatly improves problems with the disease. 

The method for diagnosis will depend on the classification of the mastitis. In cases of clinical mastitis, it is easier to identify, as it can be detected through visible changes in the milk, such as lumps, clots and changes in the color of the raw material. 

Furthermore, there are also noticeable changes in the teats of the infected cow. The most common are swelling and redness. 

In contrast, subclinical cases are imperceptible to the naked eye and may go unnoticed for a long period. 

Dessa forma, para o diagnóstico de mastite subclínica, é necessário a realização de análises como a CCS (Contagem de Células Somáticas).

Cows that have CCS greater than 200.000 per mL are considered to have subclinical disease. 

After the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis, it is interesting to know the profile of the agent that is causing the infection. 

For this, the microbiological culture of milk represents a fundamental tool to identify pathogens. Through this identification, the best treatment can be chosen. 

A mastite é a doença que mais causa perdas econômicas no sistema de produção de leite, de acordo com a Embrapa. 

This is because, in addition to allowing the disposal of milk, the disease requires a commitment from the producer to invest in treatment and control. 

Among the costs are drugs for the treatment of clinical cases, disposal of animals with early death, labor of professionals specialized in the subject and reduction of production, due to the number of infected cows. 

Not to mention that the treatment of mastitis involves the use of antibiotics, which can bring risks of residues in milk, compromising the quality of the product and its derivatives. 

The interference in this quality happens because microorganisms that are classified as lactic acid bacteria are no longer beneficial when they are in large quantities. Thus, there is an increase in lactic acid, a product of the metabolism of lactose by these microorganisms. 

Thus, the pH of the milk is affected, causing the precipitation of caseins. This interferes with coagulation and sensory characteristics, especially with milk thermoresistance. 

Consequently, the process interferes with the pasteurization carried out in the industry, making the raw material of low value. 

In the same context, psychrotopic bacteria increase the problem, since their multiplication can occur at low temperatures, reducing the shelf life of dairy products, bitter taste in milk and increasing the viscosity of the product. 

All these problems derive directly or indirectly from mastitis, as some of them are caused by a lack of hygiene in facilities, milking and equipment.

Now that you already know how mastitis occurs, the main factors for its appearance and the damage caused by it, see the tips that we have separated to help you control this disease. 

To achieve success in this task, it is essential to keep in mind which preventive measures are more than necessary for a successful business. 

Therefore, always map the points of improvement in your creation environment. Understand the stage of each process and the need to enhance quality in the daily handling of animals. In prevention, you can prioritize the following factors: 

Investment in animal comfort and hygiene

The environments where the cows stay need constant maintenance, with cleanliness, without excessive humidity and with comfort. All care in this environment is valid, as dirty resting places are a source of risk for intramammary infections. 

Proper milking routine

Milking management needs to be done efficiently and without risk of new infections. Therefore, when milking the teats, they need to be clean and dry with disinfection using a specific solution and drying with a paper towel, before and after milking. 

Treat clinical cases of mastitis with care

Analyze the situation of your herd so as not to have even greater commitments to your business. 

Perform proper maintenance and cleaning on milking equipment, repeating the process when leaving for another animal

These materials require frequent periodic checking, with correct sizing and washing and disinfection soon after use. 

Provide proper training to farm staff

Knowing the factors that harm the health of the herd is a key point in this process. In this, everyone involved needs to be aware of good practices to prevent mastitis. 

These are the main factors to prevent the incidence of mastitis among dairy cows. However, if you are already suffering from many cases and need control, the ideal is to implement a specific treatment. 



One of the solutions is the use of antibiotics, but it is important to evaluate the period in which the treatment will be carried out, as this may reflect on the result. Thus, the period in which the results are most satisfactory is during drying. 

Dry cow therapy is the best form of control after detected subclinical mastitis. It is during this period that the use of antibiotics is ideal, acting to eliminate existing intramammary infections. 

In the same sense, it helps to prevent new cases of mastitis after drying and in the postpartum period. 

But analyzing only the period is not enough. It is necessary to analyze the type of antibiotic that you will use in the treatment. 

Generally, the drugs most indicated are those with a higher concentration than those commonly used in lactating cows and which have an oily vehicle and are long-acting. 

Using an intramammary sealant in the dry period also helps to prevent further infections. There is a natural formation of a keratin plug on the cow's teat, but some, with malformation, may increase the chance of entry of infectious agents. 

Thus, using the sealant provides a barrier, which prevents the entry of microorganisms, helping a lot in reducing cases of mastitis. 

Through the information seen in this article, it is clear that mastitis is a disease that greatly compromises the health of dairy cows and, therefore, the health of the business. 

Therefore, milk production can be challenging, but when it is well managed, it can be profitable and satisfactory for the farmer. 

However, it is necessary to pay attention, in the first place, to forms of prevention. They will be essential to maintain production with a quality standard, without losses and without compromising the business image. 



Thus, investing in small changes can often seem like a cost, when in fact they are ways to save unnecessary expenses with sudden changes, veterinarians, disposal of milk and production cows. 

So, use these tips to your advantage. Monitor your farm and your producing animals, always carrying out a quality and hygiene inspection in the environments. 

Also don't forget to test the herd frequently. Remember that the case that causes the most damage in the herd is subclinical mastitis. Since it does not show symptoms, but it can easily spread and reduce production. 

Therefore, look for practical, efficient methods that meet the need for a quick diagnosis for assertive and agile decisions, such as Somaticell CCS, which in less than 3 minutes will give you the milk somatic cell count with numerical and assertive result , which can be done with milk from the tank, individual CCS or even CCS per teat. 

Para te ajudar, a Somaticell possui soluções para diagnosticar mastite e resíduos de antibiótico no leite. 

Our products cover 100% detection of all antimicrobials, described in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply.

To deliver the best quality, we work with a team of more than twenty researchers, who are dedicated to the development of products for the food safety line. 

E para uma saída moderna, criamos o Somaticel® CCS, pensado para diagnósticos de mastite de maneira ágil e com precisão. Esse kit permite a avaliação da amostra do leite com base em um conjunto que viabiliza a contagem imediata de CCS, com o desempenho comparável à contagem feita em laboratório. Quer entender mais sobre esta solução? Então, fale com a gente! Estamos esperando por você.