Mastitis, which is not talked about enough
Most conversations about mastitis focus on lactating cows. However, there is a form of the disease that farmers often overlook because it affects animals that are not milked – heifers before their first calving and cows during the dry period. summer mastitis, also known as summer mastitis.
What makes summer mastitis different?
Unlike classical mastitis which is most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus uberis, summer mastitis is multifactorial in nature. The most frequently isolated pathogen is Trueperella pyogenes, acting in synergy with anaerobic bacteria and streptococci. Insects play a key role in transmitting the infection – flies feeding on secretions from damaged teat skin, which explains the seasonal nature of the problem: the peak incidence of the disease occurs in the warm months, from June to September.
Who is most at risk?
- Heifers staying in pastures, especially wet and shady ones
- Cows in the dry period without regular udder inspection
- Animals with micro-injuries to the teat (e.g. after insect bites, abrasions on vegetation)
Symptoms that are easy to miss
Because the animal is not milked, the first symptoms are often subtle: slight enlargement and redness of one quarter of the udder, increased body temperature, reluctance to move, and in advanced cases, purulent, foul-smelling discharge and a marked deterioration in the animal's general condition. Untreated summer mastitis very often leads to irreversible destruction of the glandular tissue, and in severe cases, gangrene of the quarter.
What will actually reduce the risk?
- Regular observation of the grazing herd - especially heifers and dry cows, preferably every 2-3 days.
- Protection against insects ? repellents, appropriate location of pastures away from water bodies and wetlands.
- Care for the skin of the teat and udder Even a minor abrasion or scratch is a potential entry point for bacteria. Daily skin care with products that support its protective barrier and regeneration plays a crucial role here.
- Quick response Any change noticed in the udder of an underfed animal should prompt you to contact a veterinarian, and not to postpone the problem "until the next calving".
Prevention starts with the skin
Since micro-injuries to the teats and udder skin are one of the main entry points for pathogens, it's worth considering constant care of these areas during the grazing season—especially in animals that are not subject to daily milking and inspection. We write more about what such care looks like in practice in the article on skin and hoof protection in the summer.
Note: The above article is for educational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of mastitis should always be consulted with a veterinarian.
