Question

Explain five predisposing factors of mastitis disease in dairy farming.

Answer 1

1. Age 
   • old animals are likely to be infected than young ones.
2. Stage of lactation
   • animals are likely to suffer at the beginning and at the end of lactation
3. Udder attachment 
   • animals with large pendulus loosely hanging udder and long teats are more susceptible to mastitis
4. Incomplete milking
   • When milk left in teat canal it acts as culture medium for bacteria
5. Mechanical injuries
   • wounds on teats/udder allow micro-organism entry into the udder.
6. Poor sanitation,
   • increases multiplication of the bacteria causing mastitis
7. Poor milking techniques
   • may result in mechanical injury of the teats, sphinster muscles of the teats