An Assessment of the Risk Factors Associated With Subclinical Mastitis in Small Holder Dairy Cows and Large Mechanized Dairy Cows in Parts of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Umar, A, Whong, C.M.Z, Abdullahi, I.O and Falana M.B

It appears that small holder dairy farmers as well as large mechanized dairy farmers in Kaduna State do not seem to be aware of the subclinical mastitis situation in their cows. A cross-sectional study was carried out with the objective of establishing the prevalence of subclinical mastitis and related risk indicators and to assess their contribution to the occurrence of subclinical mastitis. Three field procedures based on the principles of herd health and production management were followed: clinical inspection, farm management inspection and farm records inspection. The California mastitis test (CMT) was carried out on quarter milk samples to determine the prevalence of subclinical mastitis. A total of 150 lactating cows from 30 herds were investigated. Clinical mastitis was detected in about 5.0% of the lactating cows, subclinical mastitis was found in 24.5% (about 25%) of the cows screened. Farm inspection revealed that, water scarcity, poor housing, hand milking, single udder towel and dairy labourers as most substantial (P < 0.05) risk indicators. Overall, there was the epidemiological need to address such risk indicators.

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