Mastitis in dairy herds is a worldwide problem, with significant implications for milk yields and quality, economic losses, and animal health and welfare - effective control makes a considerable difference to the farmer and the animal. This new edition includes updated information throughout as well as new chapters covering organic dairy herds, dry period infections, robotic milking, residue avoidance, and best practice procedures.

The authors, both fellows of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and recognised experts in the field, provide basic principles relevant to farmers, vets and veterinary students in a clear and practical way, covering anatomy, epidemiology, milking machines, disinfection, somatic cell counts, and diseases of the udders and teats in order to provide a thorough understanding of the causes of mastitis and measures of control and prevention.

Ideal for large animal vets, dairy industry personnel, farm managers, dairy herdsmen, and researchers and students in animal sciences and related disciplines.

CONTENT:

SECTION ONE: Introduction

SECTION TWO: Structure of Teats and Udder and Mechanisms Of Milk Synthesis

SECTION THREE: Teat and Udder Defences against Mastitis

SECTION FOUR: The Mastitis Organisms

SECTION FIVE: Milking Machines and Mastitis

SECTION SIX: The Milking Routine And Its Effect On Mastitis

SECTION SEVEN: Teat Disinfection

SECTION EIGHT: The Environment and Mastitis

SECTION NINE: Somatic Cell Count

SECTION TEN: Bactoscan and Total Bacterial Count (TBC)

SECTION ELEVEN: Targets and Monitoring

SECTION TWELVE: Treatment and Dry Cow Therapy

SECTION THIRTEEN: Summer Mastitis

SECTION FOURTEEN: Disorders of the Udder And Teats

SECTION FIFTEEN: Residue Avoidance in Milk

SECTION SIXTEEN: Best Practice Guides