Prevalence and treatment of subclinical mastitis in cows

The examinations were carried out at the Center of Experiments and Practical Training and Laboratory of Animal Reproduction of the Lithuanian Veterinary Academy during the period of 1998-2001. Milk composition and quality estimation was conducted at the State Laboratory for Milk Control. 89 cows (214 quarters) with subclinical mastitis were studied. On the basis of the bacteriological study results, it became evident that the majority of subclinical mastitis was provoked by mixed micro-flora (52.85%) and Staphylococcus aureus (20.32%). Mixed micro-flora consisted of: Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter spp. – 6.67%, Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus – 2.86%, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp, Enterobacter spp. – 14.13%, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococcus and Enterobacter spp. – 16.19%, as well as coagulase-negative staphylococcus and Enterobacter spp. – 11.1%. Other representatives of pathogenic micro-flora isolated were Streptococcus spp. at 13.49% and coagulase-negative staphylococcus, 2.86%. Pathogenic micro-flora was not obtained in 10.48% of the material. The effectiveness of treatment depends on changes in somatic cell count, lactose, proteins, milk-freezing point and microbiological tests carried on throughout its course. The effectiveness for treatment of the following preparations was: Leo Yellow - 88.71 ± 5.35% and Tetra delta – 79.49 ± 6.47%, Mastiject Fort® – 66.0 ± 6.6% and Divaccon 28 ± 8.98% and Leocillini – 40.0± 8.94%. The effectiveness was the highest when a combination of Leo Yellow and Leocillini was used for treatment of subclinical mastitis and recovery rose to 93.33 ± 6.44%.