Infrared thermography to monitor body and udder skin surface temperature differences in relation to subclinical and clinical mastitis condition in Karan Fries (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) crossbred cows

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of infrared thermography (IRT) for the early detection of mastitis. A total of 200 quarters of Karan Fries cows (50) were monitored for body temperature and udder skin surface temperature (USST) prior to milking using FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) i5 camera. Milk samples were collected from each quarter and screened for mastitis using somatic cell count (SCC), electrical conductivity (EC) and California mastitis test (CMT). The mean (±SD) body temperature of an individual cow during the study period was 37.17±0.07°C. The mean (±SD) body and USST (37.16±0.06°C) of non mastitis cow did not differ significantly; however, the mean USST of the mastitis affected quarters were significantly higher than the body and non-mastitis quarter temperature. The mean (±SD) USST of the subclinical and clinical mastitis affected quarters were 37.9±0.09°C and 38.2±0.10°C, respectively which is 0.8 and 1.1°C higher than the body and non-mastitis quarter temperature. The increase in USST of subclinical mastitis quarters showed a positive correlation with the SCC. It is concluded that IRT technique could be used as a potential non-invasive, quick cow side diagnostic tool for screening and early detection of mastitis in crossbred cows.