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SECTION X
MASTITIS AND DISEASES OF TEATS
Mastitis is a scourge that result in heavy losses
to the dairy farmer by causing a reduction in
milk production, drastic decrease or cessation of
production, causing permanent damage to the
udder or, even death of the animal in severe cases.
Pure exotic breeds like HF, Jersey etc have the highest
susceptibility to mastitis followed by crossbreds. The
lower susceptibility of local breeds is basically due
to its lower milk production and a better immunity
levels. Buffaloes are the least susceptible to mastitis.
With more farmers taking to crossbreeding for
higher production, the prevalence of mastitis is also
on the rise. Preventing the occurrence of mastitis
would therefore play a pivotal role in making milk
business profitable. A proper understanding of the
mastitis will go a long way in reducing the incidence
at the farmers’ homestead.
Diseases of the teat may not lead to production losses
directly, but indirectly there could be a decrease in
yield due to difficulty in milking and pain caused by
the lesions. This may also predispose the animal to
mastitis. The following chapters are described here:
A. Clinical mastitis
E. Teat warts
B. Chronic mastitis
F. Ulcerative mammillitis
C. Sub-clinical mastitis G. Pseudocowpox
D. Mastitis in heifers