Vol. 9, Issue 7 (2020)

Of the total 616 quarters samples tested 59.57% were found to be positive by WST. At species level 59.35% quarters of buffaloes and 60.26% quarters of cows were positive of the tested quarters. While categorizing results on the basis of number of quarter(s) involved per animal, it was revealed that the most of the animals under study were having single quarter infection (47.05%). While observing incidence on front/front quarters and hind quarters basis; much higher overall incidence was observed in hind quarters (78.30%) than front quarters (39.60%); similar trend was noted at species level also. Overall incidence on the basis of position of quarters was the highest in right hind quarters (86.08%) while overall lowest incidence was observed in right front quarter (37.91%). At species level also, right hind quarter was the most affected one for both cows and buffaloes. However, lowest level prevalence was observed in right front quarters in case of buffaloes while deviation was seen in case of cows as it was lowest in left front quarters.

Milk sample from each animal was also subjected to bacteriological examination and 180 (88.23%) samples were observed to be positive. At species level, 45 (91.84%) and 135 (87.09%) milk samples from cows and buffaloes, respectively were positive in cultural examination. Gram’s staining of the culture revealed that overall, 67.78% infections were due to Gram positive bacteria while 32.22% were caused by Gram negative bacteria. Based on colony and morphological characteristics among the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus sp. bacteria were the major pathogens while E. coli was the major organism among the gram negative bacteria. Antibiogram of the isolates revealed that Enrofloxacin was the most effective (92.22%) followed by Ciprofloxacin (91.11%) while Penicillin-G was found to be least effective (15.56%). From present study it can be concluded that mastitis in clinical and subclinical form has established its roots in dairy animals with higher affinity for hind quarters. The dairy farmers should be educated and made aware to adopt better managemental practices for profitable production of safe and wholesome milk. The pathogenic bacteria are also gradually developing resistance to commonly used antibiotics and hence judicious use of antibiotics and adoption of antibiotic sensitivity testing should be always recommended by veterinary clinicians in order to give effective treatment.