Types of Mastitis in Dairy Cows

Clinical mastitis is apparent through changes in milk, the udder or the cow’s health. Milk may look different, the quarter may be hot, swollen or tender, and the cow may eat less or seem unwell. Subclinical mastitis is less visible: the cow can look normal while milk testing shows inflammation.

Veterinary notes may also call a case acute when signs develop quickly, chronic when inflammation persists, or recurrent when episodes return. The label does not replace examination. Infectious causes, teat damage, environmental exposure and milking-system issues can all affect the investigation and prevention plan.

Have the affected cow examined and ask whether a milk sample should be tested. Keep treated animals and their milk managed according to veterinary instructions. Review hand hygiene, teat preparation, liner function, bedding and the order in which cows are milked. Record the quarter involved, visible signs, test findings and response to treatment so repeated cases can be investigated rather than treated as isolated events.

Call promptly for sudden udder changes, clots or watery milk, fever, weakness, poor appetite, dehydration, reduced production or difficulty standing. Urgent veterinary attention is needed when the cow’s general condition declines, because udder inflammation can be accompanied by serious whole-animal illness. A normal-looking udder does not rule out subclinical disease when production or milk-test results change.

Which classification fits this case? Is laboratory milk testing needed? Could the milking environment or equipment be contributing? What treatment and milk-handling instructions apply? How will recurrence be monitored?