Risk factors of subclinical mastitis in small holder dairy cows in Khon Kaen province

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was introduced to determine the risk factors of subclinical mastitis in dairy farms. Sixteen small holder farms and 285 milking cows in Khon Kaen province were selected for the study. The mastitis investigation, feeding information and clinical inspection were applied in the farm visits. Milk samples from each quarter with a CMT score of 3 and bulk milk were collected for bacterial identification and somatic cell counts. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis and associated factors were analyzed. Results found that the prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 36.14%. Major microorganisms isolated from infected quarters were Streptococcus spp. and coagulase negative staphylococci. The odds ratio of vacuum pressure and teat liner were strongly related with subclinical mastitis (2.18 and 2.00, respectively). In addition, the milking management had a higher impact on subclinical mastitis with odds ratios of 1.83, 3.37 and 2.18 in no strip cup, no single towel and no clean and dry before milking, respectively (p<0.05) at 95% confidential intervals. High odds ratios in subclinical mastitis were also found in poor body condition score and abnormal hoof score accounted for 2.66 and 1.78, respectively (p<0.05) at 95% CIs. Dairy cows from the 1st to 3rd lactation had a significantly lower prevalence of subclinical mastitis than those in higher parities. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that milking management, body condition score, and hoof score were significantly related to subclinical mastitis in small holder dairy cows.