An overview of subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle

This manuscript describes economic losses, prevalence, etiology, nutritional approaches, risk factors, diagnostic tests, and control to preclude the causes of subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle. Subclinical mastitis is more disparaging than clinical mastitis. It is almost asymptomatic, with no visible changes observed on the udder; only milk production reduces and milk quality changes. It is a multi-etiological complex that includes nutritional deficiency, number of lactations and unhygienic managemental practices. Diagnosis of subclinical mastitis is quite difficult than clinical mastitis. The detection of subclinical mastitis in suspected quarters can be made using either direct measurement of the somatic cell count (SCC) or indirectly by performing a California Mastitis Test (CMT). Intramammary antibiotics are widely used to treat cows infected with Streptococcus agalactiae and have a positive response in production and decrease bulk tank SCC as well. Penethamate is efficacious and sustains a positive effect to reduce SCC in milk against subclinical mastitis.