Clinical mastitis in cows

Affected milk may look watery, discoloured or blood-tinged, or contain flakes, clots or pus. The involved udder quarter can become hot, swollen, firm, red or painful, and the cow may kick or move away during examination or milking.

Mastitis is inflammation of mammary tissue, commonly associated with an infection entering through the teat canal. Local disease produces changes in a quarter and its milk; more severe inflammation can affect the whole animal and disturb circulation, hydration and normal rumen activity.

Visible signs distinguish clinical mastitis from subclinical infection, which has no obvious udder or milk abnormality. A veterinarian may use the history, physical findings and a clean milk sample to guide testing and treatment decisions.

Separate and clearly identify the affected cow, follow the farm's milk-withholding procedure, and prevent abnormal milk from entering the food supply or being fed without veterinary guidance. Wear gloves, keep milking equipment clean and handle the affected quarter after healthy quarters to reduce spread.

Contact the herd veterinarian promptly and record the cow, affected quarter, milk appearance, appetite, temperature if safely obtainable, recent calving or illness, and any treatment already given. Do not begin leftover antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medicines without veterinary direction because the likely organism, dose, route and withdrawal requirements matter.

Request urgent veterinary attendance if the cow is unable to stand, severely weak, cold at the ears or limbs, breathing abnormally, dehydrated, not eating, producing little urine, or showing rapidly worsening udder swelling. These systemic signs can accompany severe mastitis and circulatory compromise.

While waiting, keep the cow in a clean, dry, well-bedded area with access to water if she can drink safely. Follow the veterinarian's instructions for monitoring and supportive care, and avoid force-feeding or unprescribed medication.

Ask whether a milk sample should be collected before treatment, which supportive care the cow needs, how to segregate her milk, when milk may safely re-enter the supply, what monitoring should be recorded, and whether other cows or milking routines need review.