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Mastitis Diagnosis and Care

Module by: Cody Zahler. E-mail the author

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Summary: This challenge will deal with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a common cow ailment, mastitis.

Challenge: Mastitis Diagnosis and Care

Unit: Cow Diseases

Subject: Large Animal Husbandry

Description:

This challenge will deal with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a common cow ailment, mastitis.

Phase I: Classroom

Divide the students into groups. Assign each group a different aspect of mastitis to research and have each group present their findings to the class. The topics could possibly be divided into diagnosis, causes, types, and treatment/prevention. Have each group form 5 reasonable questions from their presentations (the professor can evaluate questions beforehand for fairness) to the class, on which the students will be evaluated. The professor can supply the students with resources from which they can gather research.

Phase II: Fieldwork

Diagnosis and treatment: If the equipment is available, have the students measure the somatic cell count (SCC) levels in the livestock. Have each student plot the levels in a control chart with three standard deviations on either side and identify those levels that are out of range.  Label the infected cows accordingly. Depending on the ratio of students to infected cows, the students could be divided into groups, with each group being assigned the treatment of a specific cow. Groups should record the procedures used in the cow’s treatment during the treatment period (4-5 weeks). Re-record the SCC levels after the treatment period. Students should be evaluated on the quality and thoroughness of the procedures they used.

If the equipment is not available to measure the SCC, students could use other less accurate measures of diagnosis such as subjectively measuring the amount of inflammation on the udder, monitoring milk output, etc. These measures should be compared against themselves at the end of the treatment period.

Mastitis Control: Demonstrate proper milking procedures to the students, including preventive measures such as predipping the teats in an antibacterial solution prior to milking. Have the students practice through these standardized procedures daily, and after a period of time designated by the instructor, evaluate them based on their familiarity with the procedures and their proficiency in applying them.

Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Ability to diagnose causes in decreased milk production or overall livestock health
  • Become familiar with mastitis, the most common udder problem affecting livestock.
  • Diagnose causes.
  • Treatment and prevention.
  • Implement and monitor plan.
  • Familiarization of different kinds of bacteria and their effects on cows

Cross-Curricular Competencies

  • Data gathering.
  • Data plotting and statistical control analysis.

Content

Factors influencing mastitis:

  • Environmental factors (cleanliness, level of shelter, bedding)
  • Proper feed and care for cows
  • Standardization of milking procedures

Monitoring SCC

  • Types of mastitis (subclinical vs. clinical)
  • Different types of bacteria (Streptococci, Staphylococci, Coliforms, and other organisms)
  • Process of infection
  • Cell Culture analysis

Open Educational Resources

http://foodsafety.cas.psu.edu/mastitis

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/dairy/404-229/404-229.html#L6

http://www.nmconline.org/articles/scclook.htm

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