Working Document Series Open Access 2010 RUF-34960

Milking procedures and prevalence of mastitis and mastitis specific-pathogens in selected smallholder dairy herds in Zimbabwe

G. MatopeM. NdenguD.M. PfukenyiKatsande. Simbarashe

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Abstract

100 words

A cross-sectional study was carried to collect milk samples for bacteriological examination and somatic cell counting in diary cows in Zimbabwe. Of the total animals tested, 172 (29.5%) had mastitis with 84% (144/172) of them having subclinical and 16% (28/172) clinical mastitis. The mean somatic cell count for culturally positive samples (738.1x103 ± 58.1) was significantly higher compared to that of negative samples (34.7x103 ± 2.8). Most of the farmers practiced normal milking routine although a few occasionally did not follow routine milking practices. Thus, the control of this type of mastitis should focus on measures to prevent animal-to-animal transmission.

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