MAMMITIS IN THE HERD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22144, 25 June 1935, Page 16

MAMMITIS IN THE HERD

NEED FOR PRECAUTION M ammitis or " Mastitis " was first introduced to Now Zealand about the year 1900, and during the following four or five years began to spread in our dairy herds. During the past .'3O years the loss has grown to huge dimensions, probably costing many millions. The disease is highly contagious, therefore every effort must be made to prevent its spread by preventing contact of clean with diseased animals. The streptococci is often carried from cow to cow by the agency of teat cups, the minute germs gaining entrance to the cow's udder by way of the teats. Owing to the high development of the udder of the present dairy cow it is particularly susceptible to disease. Pampering and forced feeding for record yields help to intensify danger from the disease. In the early stages there is practically no general disturbance to the cow's health, and little alteration to the udder itself. Sometimes there is a diminution in the milk yield; the teat ducts may thicken a little, and a hard gristly core may be felt when the teat is rolled between the thumb and linger. A " pea " may be located in the teat canal-, or the quarter may bo hard without any pain or redness. The milk very often appears unchanged, except for quantity, or it may be yellowish or in advanced disease a blood-stained, sliniy fluid, containing curds or clots.