Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary gland. It matters both to animal welfare and to a dairy family's income: an affected cow or buffalo may produce less milk, need treatment and require milk to be withheld from sale. Recognising a problem early is more useful than choosing an injection from an online list.
What signs should a farmer check?
Clinical mastitis produces visible changes. Milk may become watery, contain flakes or clots, or appear discoloured or blood-stained. An affected quarter may be swollen, warm or painful, and the animal may resist milking. Severe cases can involve fever, poor appetite and whole-body illness.
Subclinical mastitis can be less obvious: the milk and udder may look normal even while inflammation reduces production. The California Mastitis Test (CMT) and laboratory somatic-cell testing help detect it. Milk culture can help establish which organism is involved; appearance alone cannot identify the correct treatment.
| Observation | Practical action |
|---|---|
| Flakes or clots in one quarter's milk | Keep abnormal milk separate, identify the animal and call the vet. |
| Hot, painful or swollen udder | Arrange prompt examination; handle gently and avoid forceful massage. |
| Normal-looking milk but unexplained production loss | Ask about screening and other possible causes of reduced yield. |
| Weakness, inability to stand or marked illness | Request emergency veterinary care rather than waiting for the next milking. |
What to do before the vet arrives
Keep the animal in a clean, comfortable area with drinking water available. Record when signs began, the affected quarter, the usual and current milk yield, and any medicine already given. Ask the vet whether a milk sample is needed and how to collect it correctly; do not delay essential treatment to obtain a sample.
Milk healthy animals first and affected animals last, using separate clean materials. Keep abnormal milk out of the collection can. Ask for instructions on milking the affected quarter and safely disposing of withheld milk without contaminating the shed, water or equipment. Do not let a calf suck the affected teat while waiting for advice.
Can the milk be sold, boiled or fed to calves?
Do not sell or use visibly abnormal milk for household consumption. Treatment introduces another question: drug withdrawal time. Milk that looks normal may still contain residues. FAO advises observing the veterinarian's withdrawal instructions for the animal's milk, even when only one quarter was treated.
There is no single withdrawal period that works for every mastitis medicine. Ask the vet to write down the product, last treatment time and earliest permitted return to sale. Do not use boiling as a workaround, and ask specifically how to manage calf feeding during treatment.
A prevention routine for small dairy farms
- Keep bedding and the resting area clean and as dry as possible.
- Clean dirty teats before milking and dry them with a separate clean towel for each animal.
- Wash hands and clean milking utensils; maintain and sanitise machine parts if used.
- Use a vet-recommended post-milking teat dip according to its instructions.
- Avoid teat injuries and rough milking. Pay attention to muddy conditions after buffalo wallowing.
- Ask about screening newly purchased animals and a herd plan for repeated cases.
The Dairy Knowledge Portal emphasises milking hygiene and early intervention. These everyday routines support prevention, but they do not guarantee that an animal will never develop mastitis.
A record that helps the next visit
Use one line per case: animal identification; date; quarter affected; milk change; appetite; test result; medicine and dose prescribed; last treatment; milk-release date; follow-up. If several animals develop problems together, tell the vet about shared towels, equipment, bedding and recent changes. This turns individual treatment into a herd-level investigation.
Frequently asked questions
Which antibiotic is best?
There is no universal best antibiotic. Organism, severity, earlier treatment and milk safety all affect the decision. Use the veterinarian's prescription.
Can mastitis occur without swelling?
Yes. Subclinical disease may have no obvious external signs. Screening is useful when production changes or herd history raises concern.
Will normal-looking milk mean the animal has recovered?
Not necessarily. Follow the clinical reassessment and withdrawal plan rather than appearance alone.
Is every case of blood in milk mastitis?
No. Injury and other udder problems are possible. Keep it out of the milk supply and have the cause assessed.
Sources and further reading
- MSD Veterinary Manual: Mastitis in cattle
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University: Mastitis
- Dairy Knowledge Portal: Clinical mastitis
- FAO: Small-scale dairy farming manual, udder health and milk hygiene
- MSD Veterinary Manual: Traumatic and structural udder disorders
Prepared for VetVaishnavi with AI-assisted research. Sources checked on 23 October 2026. This educational guide does not replace an examination by your veterinarian.
Comments
Post a Comment