A review of prevention and control of heifer mastitis via non-antibiotic strategies

Abstract

Clinical and subclinical mastitis is a significant problem in primiparous dairy cattle (heifers) with a higher prevalence and incidence in heifers than cows, especially early in lactation. Differences in management (e.g. nutrition, pasturing, no use of dry cow therapy) as well as differences in physiological status (e.g. continuing growth in heifers) are likely contribute to the observed differences between heifers and cows. These differences may result in the requirement for different approaches for mastitis management in heifers than for cows. Mastitis is a multifactorial disease, hence control requires an understanding of the risk factors before effective interventions can be defined. Control strategies are aimed at reducing the incidence of new intramammary infections and eliminating existing infections. Potential strategies can include improved environmental and animal hygiene, application of internal and external teat sealants, prepartum application of teat antiseptics, prepartum milking and control of horn fly in environments where it acts as vector. Other less well-proven strategies to control heifer mastitis include management of heifers as a physically separate group from older cows and not feeding mastitic milk to calves. It is concluded that several well-proven strategies are available to manage heifer mastitis. However, further research is likely to improve understanding of heifer mastitis and lead to novel managerial approaches to mastitis control in this age group.