32 ANIMAL HEALTH
HERBAL AND PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS FOR ADDRESSING MASTITIS AND IMPROVING UDDER HEALTH IN DAIRY
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ovine mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary glands in dairy cows. It usually occurs as an immune response to bacterial invasion of the teat canal by variety of etiological sources present on the farm i.e. pathogenic microorganisms, chemical, mechanical or thermal injuries to the udders. Types of Mastitis Clinical Mastitis is an inflammatory response to infection-causing visibly abnormal milk (eg. colour, fibrin clots). As the extent of the inflammation increases, changes in the udder (swelling, heat, pain, redness) may also be apparent. Subclinical Mastitis is the presence of a mostly asymptomatic infection without apparent signs of local inflammation or systemic involvement (fever, anorexia, shock). If the infection persists for at least two months, the
infection is termed chronic. Mastitis causes financial losses to dairy industries through reduced milk yield, poor milk quality, increased culling and also due to additional expenses on treatment and extra labor. The annual economic losses due to mastitis in India, United States,
UK and worldwide have been estimated at $1.1 billion, $2 billion, $371 million and $35 billion (country graph with mastitis expenses), respectively. The prominent bacteria responsible for causing mastitis include both gram-positive and gram negative bacteria. There is a need to explore alternative approaches for the treatment of mastitis because of their microbial resistance. Moreover, antibiotics in dairy milk have potential downstream effects on human health. Somatic Cell count In mastitis, the inflammatory reaction in the udder tissue causes changes in the biochemical composition of milk. Detection of subclinical mastitis is best done by
LIVESTOCK & POULTRY ME
APRIL-JUNE 2022
