Mastitis in dairy animals: what to know

Mastitis in dairy animals is inflammation of the udder that can change milk and make the animal unwell. It may affect one quarter or several, and signs can be obvious or limited to altered milk. Early attention protects the animal's comfort, supports milk quality, and helps prevent spread within a herd.

An affected udder may feel warmer, firmer, swollen, or painful. Milk can appear watery, lumpy, stringy, or discoloured, although severe changes are not required. The animal may eat less, move reluctantly, or separate from the group. Some cases are detected mainly through milk checks before the udder looks different. Mastitis can follow bacteria entering through the teat canal, irritation, or incomplete emptying, so hygiene and milking technique matter.

Separate the animal according to the herd's veterinary plan and use a clean, clearly identified milking routine. Do not put milk from a suspect quarter into the household or sale supply. Record the animal, quarter, visible changes, appetite, and temperature if you can safely measure it. A veterinarian should decide whether testing, pain relief, fluids, or prescription treatment is needed; never use leftover medicine or change a treatment schedule without advice. Clean equipment and hands between animals.

Contact a veterinarian promptly for a hot or rapidly enlarging udder, blood or pus-like milk, marked pain, fever, weakness, dehydration, collapse, or refusal to eat. Urgent assessment is also needed when several animals develop signs or milk changes appear across the herd. Keep treatment and milk-discard instructions with the animal's records so everyone handling the milk follows the same plan.

Ask which tests can identify the affected quarter, whether the animal needs separation, how to manage pain, when milk can safely re-enter the supply, and which cleaning steps should change. Ask what signs would mean the treatment is not working and whether other animals need checking.