The Silent Killer of Profits: How to Detect and Prevent Mastitis Early
Every litre counts in dairy farming. You wake up early, feed well, and manage your herd with care. But what if I told you that for every 10 litres you milk, you might be losing liters in potential yield to a disease you can’t even see?
This is sub-clinical mastitis—the silent thief on Kenyan farms.
Most farmers only react when they see clinical signs: a swollen udder, clotted milk, or a sick cow. By then, the damage is done. The bacteria have multiplied, milk production has dropped, and you are facing expensive vet bills and antibiotic withdrawal periods where you must dump milk.
The secret to a profitable dairy farm isn’t better treatment; it is early detection and prevention.
Here is your practical guide to stopping mastitis before it stops your income, using essential tools available at Medilink Vet Suppliers.
Why is mastitis prevention cheaper than treatment?
Preventing mastitis is significantly cheaper than treating it because you avoid veterinary fees, expensive antibiotics, and the “withdrawal period” where you must throw away unsalable milk. A small investment in detection tools daily saves thousands of shillings in lost revenue and dropped milk production over the lactation cycle.
In Kenya, the cost of treating a severe case of mastitis can easily exceed KES 5,000 when you factor in medicine and lost milk. Compare that to the low price of a CMT Test Kit that lasts for months. The math is simple: prevention pays.
What is the first step to detecting mastitis daily? (The Strip Cup)
The first step in daily mastitis detection is using a Strip Cup before attaching the milking machine or starting hand milking. Squirt the first few streams of “foremilk” from each teat onto the black surface of the cup to check for visible abnormalities like clots, flakes, or watery milk.
Why do this? The foremilk contains the highest concentration of bacteria and somatic cells. Stripping it out does two things:
- Stimulates Let-down: It mimics the calf suckling, signaling the cow to release milk.
- Visual Check: It allows you to spot clinical mastitis immediately, so you don’t mix bad milk into your churn or contaminate your milking machine liners.
Every milker should have a durable, easy-to-read Strip Cup at their side during every milking session.
How do I use a California Mastitis Test (CMT) Kit? (The Chemical Check)
To use a California Mastitis Test (CMT) kit, milk a small amount from each quarter into the four separate wells of the paddle. Add an equal amount of CMT reagent liquid to the milk. Swirl the paddle gently for about 10 seconds. If the mixture thickens into a gel or slime, that quarter has sub-clinical mastitis.
This is the most crucial step for catching the “silent killer.” Sub-clinical mastitis has no visible signs—the milk looks normal—but the Somatic Cell Count (SCC) is high, meaning an infection is brewing.
Interpreting the CMT Results:
- Liquid remains watery: Healthy quarter.
- Slight slime: Trace infection (monitor this cow closely).
- Thick gel that clumps: Positive infection. You need to isolate this cow and treat her immediately.
A CMT Paddle and Reagent Liquid is mandatory equipment for any farmer serious about milk quality.
Why is post-milking teat dipping crucial for prevention?
After milking, the cow’s teat canal remains completely open for 30 to 60 minutes. During this time, it is incredibly easy for bacteria from manure or dirty bedding to enter the udder. Dipping the teat in a disinfectant solution immediately after milking kills bacteria and seals the canal, preventing new infections.
This is a non-negotiable step. Using a proper Teat Dip Cup ensures the entire teat is covered efficiently without wasting the disinfectant. It takes seconds, but it is your best defense against environmental mastitis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mastitis Control
How often should I use a CMT Test Kit on my herd?
You should perform a CMT test at least once a month on every lactating cow. However, you should test immediately if you notice a sudden drop in milk yield from a specific cow or if the cow seems unsettled during milking. Regular monthly testing helps you catch sub-clinical cases before they become severe.
Can I drink or sell milk from a cow that tests positive for mastitis?
No, you should not sell or consume this milk. Even if the milk looks normal (sub-clinical mastitis), it has a high Somatic Cell Count (SCC), which affects the taste, shelf-life, and processing quality of the milk. If you have already started antibiotic treatment, the milk contains drug residues and is unsafe for human consumption until the withdrawal period is over.
Why does my cow keep getting mastitis even after treatment?
Recurrent mastitis usually points to a hygiene failure rather than a treatment failure. If the cow is cured but returns to a dirty environment, she will get re-infected. Common causes include:
- Dirty bedding or zero-grazing units.
- Not using a Teat Dip after milking (leaving the canal open to bacteria).
- Using dirty hands or milking towels that spread bacteria from cow to cow.
What is the difference between Clinical and Sub-Clinical Mastitis?
Clinical Mastitis is visible to the naked eye; the udder is swollen/hot, and the milk has clots, blood, or changes in color. Sub-Clinical Mastitis is invisible; the milk appears normal, and the udder looks healthy, but the cow is infected and producing less milk. This is why the CMT Kit is essential—it is the only way to “see” the invisible infection.
Does using a milking machine cause mastitis?
No, a properly maintained milking machine does not cause mastitis. In fact, it can reduce it by ensuring consistent milking pressure. However, if the machine’s vacuum pressure is too high, or if the teat rubbers (liners) are old and cracked, they can damage the teat end, harboring bacteria. We recommend changing your milking machine liners every 6 months (or after 2,500 milkings) to prevent this.
Summary: Your 3-Step Defense Shield
Don’t wait for a swollen udder to act. Adopt this simple routine to protect your profits:
- Strip: Use a Strip Cup at every milking to check for visible clots.
- Test: Use a CMT Kit weekly (or whenever you suspect an issue) to find silent infections.
- Dip: Always use a Teat Dip immediately after milking to lock out bacteria.
Are your cows protected? Stop guessing and start managing your herd’s health.
Click here to browse our full range of Mastitis Detection and Prevention tools, including Strip Cups, CMT Kits, and Teat Dippers at Medilink Vet Suppliers.