In this chapter we’ll explore udder care. Follow along in your manual by turning to page 16-1.
Cows that had a case of mastitis within 30 days after breeding had a significantly lower conception rate than cows that had no mastitis. The loss ranges from $45 to over $100 per animal.
Many infections occur in the 3 weeks prior to and after calving.
Simple economics.
Oxytocin is the let down hormone.
Timing milking to coincide with this natural process, means you get the fastest and most complete milkouts.
Figure 1. Structure of the mammary gland showing teat and gland cisterns, milk ducts, and glandular tissue (A). Glandular tissue is made up of many small microscopic sacs called alveoli that are lined by milk-producing epithelial cells (B). Millions of alveoli are within each mammary gland.
Go forward to next slide discuss A, then back up to emphasize B, then forward to diagram. Repeat for each point.
Refer to previous slide for notes.
Mastitis falls into these two categories.
There are three types of mastitis.
Acute can be life threatening, the quarter will be hot, inflamed and the cow may be severely depressed. It should be treated by a Vet; if left untreated the cow may die.
Clinical is less severe than acute; recognized by flakes, clots, watery milk, slight swelling or hardness, and a sudden decrease in production.
Subclinical is the most prevalent of the three. No outward signs of mastitis, but an elevated SCC.
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