Relationship of risk factors with incidence of mastitis in cows

Abstract

The dairy industry is facing a great set back due to high prevalence and incidence of mastitis in milch animals. The aim of this study was to investigate management and animal level risk factors that favour occurrences of mastitis. The present study was conducted at the Large Animal Clinic of Madras Veterinary College (MVC) Hospital, Chennai. Out of two hundred and eighty milch animals examined during the study period, sixty cows were affected by mastitis. Relationship of risk factors with incidence of mastitis were determined using chi-square test for independence. Results revealed that crossbred Holstein-Friesian had the highest incidence rate of mastitis. Incidence of udder infection in cattle appeared to increase with the increase in average daily milk yield. Less hygiene of the farm favoured higher incidence of mastitis in cows. Injury to the udder would make the animal more prone to mastitis when compared to animals with healthy udder.