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Risk factors for intramammary infections and subclinical mastitis in post-partum dairy heifers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2012

Volker Krömker ,
Florian Pfannenschmidt ,
Katherina Helmke ,
Robby Andersson  and
Nils T. Grabowski
Volker Krömker*
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Mechanical and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hanover, Germany
Florian Pfannenschmidt
Affiliation:
Chamber of Agriculture Lower Saxony, Hanover, Germany
Katherina Helmke
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Osnabrück, Germany
Robby Andersson
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Osnabrück, Germany
Nils T. Grabowski
Affiliation:
Institute for Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
*
*For correspondence; e-mail: volker.kroemker@fh-hannover.de
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Abstract

The prevalence of intramammary infections (IMI) and subclinical mastitis (SCM) in 436 German Holstein heifers was put in relation with clinical findings of the udder and data regarding individual rearing and housing conditions of the animals. The clinical examination took place on the day of the livestock auction (at approximately 41 d in milk, DIM). On that day, 31% of the heifers had IMI in at least one quarter, and 18% of all quarters were infected. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most prevalent bacteria isolated, accounting for 68% of the positive samples. Data were analysed by logistic regression. Criteria such as ‘juvenile intersucking’, ‘teats shorter than 35 mm’, ‘teats with a diameter <18 mm’ and ‘udder oedema at the day of the auction’ were associated with IMI in heifers during the first 41 DIM. Loose-housing systems during pregnancy (as opposed to tie-stalls), juvenile intersucking, clinical mastitis during the first week after calving, teat diameters <18 mm, and employing organic bedding material in the stables before calving were associated with subclinical mastitis.

Keywords

Heifermastitisrisk factorauction
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Dairy Research , Volume 79 , Issue 3 , August 2012 , pp. 304 - 309
Copyright
Copyright © Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research 2012

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