PREVALENCE OF SUBCLINICAL MASTITIS IN DAIRY COWS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY IN THENI DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Mastitis is one of the major economic diseases in the dairy cattle, with subclinical mastitis become increasingly common, especially in crossbred cows. The current study was conducted to assess the prevalence of subclinical form of bovine mastitis, associated risk factors and dominant bacterial pathogens among cattle in south-west part of Tamil Nadu. Among the total of 104 animals milk samples screened for subclinical mastitis and it was found a prevalence of 57.69%. Out of 416 quarters screened, 106 quarters were found positive with overall prevalence of 25.48%. The prevalence was higher in hindquarters (26.41%) than the forequarters (23.58%). Upon bacteriological examination, affected milk samples were affected with Staphylococcusspp.(53.33%), Streptococcus spp.(13.33%)and Escherichia coli(3.33%).Combined infection of Escherichia coli &Staphylococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp.&Streptococcus spp.were found to be 10.00 & 3.33%.