Risk factors and outcomes for repeated cases of clinical mastitis in high producing dairy cows

• Grant number: 13/03482-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: José Carlos de Figueiredo Pantoja
• Grantee: José Carlos de Figueiredo Pantoja
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Bruna dos Santos ; Guido Gomes Wanderley ; Helio Langoni ; Samuel Fávero

Abstract

Due to the control and eradication of contagious pathogens in herds that produce high quality milk, environmental clinical mastitis (CM) has become one of the main emerging problems. Clinical mastitis results in financial losses and its treatment is the main cause of milk contamination with antibiotic residues. Little is known about the risk factors that determine the occurrence of repeated cases of CM in the same lactation. These cases result in frustration relative to treatments (fail to recover) and great economic losses (need for extended and repeated therapy). In this context, a case-control study will be conducted to identify risk factors for the occurrence of repeated CM cases, estimate the probability of subsequent cases for cows that experienced one or two cases in the same lactation, and compare relevant outcomes between cows that developed first and repeated cases. High- producing cows from two large herds will be observed for six months, during which microbiological cultures of milk and epidemiologic information will be obtained from all animals that develop incident cases of CM. For each case, the same information will be obtained from three control cows randomly selected within the same stage of lactation. Logistic regression will be used to identify risk factors for a repeated case of CM such as physical characteristics of teats and udders, milk production, and parity. Results of this study will aid dairy producers to improve milk quality, animal well-being, and the safety of dairy products offered to the population. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PANTOJA, J. C. F.; ALMEIDA, A. P.; DOS SANTOS, B.; ROSSI, R. S.. An investigation of risk factors for two successive cases of clinical mastitis in the same lactation. LIVESTOCK SCIENCE, v. 194, p. 10-16, DEC 2016. (14/12642-0, 13/02569-0, 13/03482-6)