Risk Factors for Clinical Mastitis in a Random Sample of Dairy Herds from the Southern Part of The Netherlands

¹ Animal Health Service, PO Box 4, 5280 AA Boxtel, The Netherlands
² Department of Ruminant Health, Animal Health Service, PO Box 361, 9200 AJ Drachten, The Netherlands
³ Department of Herd Health and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University, PO Box 80.151, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands

The incidence of clinical mastitis in dairy cows was estimated in 171 randomly selected dairy herds from the southern part of The Netherlands. A total of 1103 quarter cases was reported. The mean annual incidence rate was 12.7 quarter cases/yr per 100 cows. The modeling incidence rate of clinical mastitis at the herd level indicated that a number of risk factors were associated with a higher rate of clinical mastitis: one or more cows that were leaking milk, one or more cows with trampled teats, no disinfection of the maternity area after calving, consistent use of post-milking teat disinfection, Red and White cattle (Meuse-Rhine-Yssel) as the predominant breed, and an annual bulk milk somatic cell count <150,000 cells/ ml.

The following risk factors were associated with a higher rate of clinical mastitis caused by Escherichia coli: cows with trampled teats, no disinfection of the maternity area after calving, consistent use of post-milking teat disinfection, use of a thick layer of bedding in the stall, and the stripping of foremilk before cluster attachment.

The following risk factors were associated with a higher rate of clinical mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus: Red and White cattle (Meuse-Rhine-Yssel) as the predominant breed, cows with trampled teats, the stripping of foremilk before cluster attachment, no regular disinfection of the stall, no regular replacement of stall bedding, and an annual bulk milk somatic cell count <150,000 cells/ml.

Key Words: clinical mastitis • risk factors • Escherichia coli • Staphylococcus aureus

Submitted on April 22, 1997
Accepted on September 26, 1997

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. G. Paulin-Curlee, S. Sreevatsan, R. S. Singer, R. Isaacson, J. Reneau, R. Bey, and D. Foster Molecular Subtyping of Mastitis-Associated Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates Shows High Levels of Diversity Within and Between Dairy Herds J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2008; 91(2): 554 - 563. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Ferguson, G. Azzaro, M. Gambina, and G. Licitra Prevalence of Mastitis Pathogens in Ragusa, Sicily, from 2000 to 2006 J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2007; 90(12): 5798 - 5813. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Rushen, D. Haley, and A. M. de Passille Effect of Softer Flooring in Tie Stalls on Resting Behavior and Leg Injuries of Lactating Cows J Dairy Sci, August 1, 2007; 90(8): 3647 - 3651. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. E. Barberg, M. I. Endres, J. A. Salfer, and J. K. Reneau Performance and Welfare of Dairy Cows in an Alternative Housing System in Minnesota J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2007; 90(3): 1575 - 1583. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Rovai, M. T. Kollmann, and R. M. Bruckmaier Incontinentia Lactis: Physiology and Anatomy Conducive to Milk Leakage in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2007; 90(2): 682 - 690. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. Boettcher, D. Caraviello, and D. Gianola Genetic Analysis of Somatic Cell Scores in US Holsteins with a Bayesian Mixture Model J Dairy Sci, January 1, 2007; 90(1): 435 - 434. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Z. Caraviello, K. A. Weigel, P. M. Fricke, M. C. Wiltbank, M. J. Florent, N. B. Cook, K. V. Nordlund, N. R. Zwald, and C. L. Rawson Survey of Management Practices on Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cattle on Large US Commercial Farms J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2006; 89(12): 4723 - 4735. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Barnouin, S. Bord, S. Bazin, and M. Chassagne Dairy Management Practices Associated with Incidence Rate of Clinical Mastitis in Low Somatic Cell Score Herds in France J Dairy Sci, October 1, 2005; 88(10): 3700 - 3709. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. C. Klaas, C. Enevoldsen, A. K. Ersboll, and U. Tolle Cow-Related Risk Factors for Milk Leakage J Dairy Sci, January 1, 2005; 88(1): 128 - 136. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. De Vliegher, H. Laevens, H. W. Barkema, I. R. Dohoo, H. Stryhn, G. Opsomer, and A. de Kruif Management Practices and Heifer Characteristics Associated with Early Lactation Somatic Cell Count of Belgian Dairy Heifers J Dairy Sci, April 1, 2004; 87(4): 937 - 947. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. P. Waller, T. Westermark, T. Ekman, and K. Svennersten-Sjaunja Milk Leakage--An Increased Risk in Automatic Milking Systems J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2003; 86(11): 3488 - 3497. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]