Bovine mastitis: a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours in the University of Canterbury

Abstract

Although the effects of mastitis have been known for decades it remains the single, most prevalent and costly disease of dairy cows.

This project did not set out to study any particular factor involved with mastitis but more as a resume of current knowledge highlighting the effect of climatic seasons on mastitis incidence in a survey group of 20 cows. In addition, the study was aimed at utilising simple microbiological procedures for investigating bacteriological contamination of mastitic milk with an aim to isolating the causal organisms and carry out antibiotic sensitivity assays.

Finally it was hoped that, through this study, effective control measures of practical application could be suggested along with a recommended mastitis control scheme.