Abstract

Cross-sectional study design was implemented in Alage dairy farm to determine the overall prevalence of mastitis, its causative agents, susceptibility patterns and risk factors associated with it. A total of 111 milking dairy cows and 444 quarters were examined. Overall prevalence of mastitis at cow and quarter levels were 73 and 37%, respectively. Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) (37.7%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (19.6%), Escherichia coli (9.4%), Staphylococcus intermidius (9.4%), Bacillus species (8%), Streptococcus species (5.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (5.8%), and Enterobacter aerogens (4.3%) were isolated in that order of decreasing frequency. From a total of seven antibiotics tested, most isolates were sensitive to Norfloxacin but showed resistance to Ampicillin. Age, stage of lactation, milk yield, hygiene score, feet problems and udder conformation were found to be risk factors significantly (P<0.05) associated with mastitis. The high prevalence rate of mastitis in a relatively well managed dairy farm implied that, it is the trickiest health problem of dairy cows that needs continued and concerted efforts in its fight.

Key words: anti-biogram, mastitis, pathogens, prevalence, risk factors.