Short answer
Mastitis is infection and swelling of the udder. Watch for a swollen, hot or painful quarter, and for clots, flakes, watery milk or blood in the milk. Early treatment by a vet saves the quarter, so call quickly. A clean, dry floor, clean hands and udder, complete milking and keeping the animal standing after milking prevent most cases.
Signs of mastitis
- One or more quarters swollen, hard, hot or painful.
- Clots, flakes, watery milk or blood in the milk.
- A drop in milk from that quarter.
- In severe cases, fever and not eating.
Mastitis can also be hidden: the udder looks normal but milk and SNF fall. A strip cup or a mastitis test kit from your vet or dairy can find it.
Why it happens
Germs enter through the opening of the teat. Wet, dirty floors, dirty hands or cloths, incomplete milking and teat injuries all make it easier. The teat canal stays open for a while after milking, which is when most germs get in.
How to prevent it
- Keep the shed floor clean and dry.
- Wash and dry the udder with a clean cloth before milking.
- Milk with clean, dry hands, using the full hand rather than pressing with the thumb.
- Milk infected animals last.
- Give feed right after milking, so the animal stays standing while the teat closes.
- Check the first streams of milk from each teat every day.
HNC products that help
When to call the vet
Call the vet the same day for a hot, hard quarter, blood in the milk or fever. Mastitis left untreated can permanently damage the quarter.
Questions farmers ask
What are the first signs of mastitis?
A quarter that is swollen, warm or painful, and clots, flakes or watery milk in the first streams. Check the first milk from each teat every day.
Can mastitis be prevented?
Most cases can. Keep the floor clean and dry, wash and dry the udder before milking, milk out completely, and keep the animal standing for a while after milking.
Is Mastitis Cure an antibiotic?
No. It is a herbal feed supplement for swollen udder. Serious mastitis needs a vet, who decides on medicines.