Detection of Subclinic Bovine Mastitis and associated factors, in dairy farms of the Province of Cañar – Biblián, Ecuador

Abstract

The objective of the study was to detect the presence of Subclinical Bovine Mastitis (SBM) and factors associated with the disease in 23 dairy farms in the Province of Cañar, Biblián Parish, Ecuador, comprised by a range of 5 to 29 cows in milk production; the samples were taken from 360 cows (1,440 mammary quarters) and the California Mastitis Test (CMT) was performed to verify the category of subclinical mastitis (SCM). The CMT-positive milk samples were collected in sterile bottles in duplicate and transported to the laboratory preserving the cold chain for somatic cell count (SCC). Factors associated with Subclinical Bovine Mastitis (SBM) were milking type and management practices. The results determined a prevalence of 9.1 % of SBM in the study area and 56.5 % at the herd level. In terms of associated factors, it was found that mechanical milking and the application of some practices, such as drying teats with a non-individual towel, increase the risk of cows suffering from the disease. It is concluded that the prevalence of MSB at the herd level is high and that teat drying with a collective towel increases the risk of having the disease.