Abstract:
Kilinochchi district is situated in the Northern part of Sri Lanka. Livestock is an important
traditional economic contributor in this district. Milk production often does not satisfy the
country's milk requirements. Mastitis, common disease of dairy cows, which can change
the milk production and its quality negatively. The present study was conducted to study
the status of bovine mastitis and risk factors associated with it in the Kilinochchi district
from November 2018 to March 2019. A total of 136 lactating cows were randomly
selected to identify mastitis from four veterinary ranges of Kilinochchi district and a
cross-sectional study was carried out among 136 smallholder dairy farms randomly using
questionnaires to collect data from Karachi, Kandawalai, Poonakari, and Pachchilaipalli.
Milk samples were screened for mastitis by California Mastitis Test (CMT). Results
showed that 14.7% (n=20) lactating cows were positive to CMT. The prevalence of
mastitis was significantly high in Jersey cross (23%) compared to local breed (8.7%).
Only 4.4% (n=6) farmers were using gloves during milking and handling of cattle. The
highest prevalence (20.9%, n=14) of mastitis was observed when the cows were kept with
other animals during the parturition. Prevalence of mastitis was 13.4 % (n=18) when hand
milking and it was higher than the machine milking (10%). The highest prevalence of
mastitis was observed in a semi-intensive farming system (20.5%) and in crop and
livestock integrated farm it was 34.6% (n=47). More cases of mastitis were found during
six to nine months of lactation period (50%). Only 2.9% (n=4) of farmers were practicing
the post milking teat dipping while milking. Among them, 85% (n=17) of affected farms
did not practice post milking teat dipping. Most of the common symptoms of mastitis
reported in this study were, the swelling of the udder, warm, rough, and redness in the
udder and, presence of clots, blood, and colour change in milk.
Keywords: Mastitis, Jersey cross, Lactation period
