Udder firmness as a possible indicator for clinical mastitis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Science
• Dairy Production

Background:

• Clinical mastitis (CM) in dairy cows is characterized by mammary gland swelling.
• Early detection of CM is crucial for effective treatment and herd health management.
• Objective indicators for cow-side CM assessment are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate udder firmness as a cow-side indicator for clinical mastitis (CM).
• To assess how CM influences udder firmness within 14 days post-diagnosis.
• To establish firmness thresholds for CM detection in dairy cows.

Main Methods:

• A dynamometer objectively measured udder firmness in 45 CM-affected and 95 healthy cows.
• Measurements were taken at three locations on hind quarters, daily for 7 days, and on day 14 post-diagnosis.
• Δ firmness (difference between hind quarters) was calculated and analyzed using generalized mixed models.

Main Results:

• Quarters with CM exhibited increased firmness after milking compared to healthy quarters.
• Δ firmness was significantly affected by CM in all cows.
• Firmness thresholds for CM detection were established: 0.282 kg for primiparous and 0.425 kg for multiparous cows.
• Cows with severe mastitis showed higher udder firmness; non-clinically cured cows had increased Δ firmness.

Conclusions:

• Udder firmness, particularly Δ firmness, serves as a valuable indicator for detecting clinical mastitis in dairy cows.
• Objective measurement of udder firmness can aid in CM diagnosis and potentially prognosis.
• Further research should explore udder firmness as a predictor for CM prognosis and inflammation cure.