Bovine mastitis prevalence and associated risk factors in dairy cows in Nyagatare District, Rwanda

• DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v86i1.1228
• Publication Date: 2015-07-14T11:42:34Z
• Authors: Blaise Iraguha; Humphrey Hamudiku...; Borden Mushonga
• Keywords: California mastitis test

In response to farmer requests after milk from their herds was rejected by processors due poor quality, a study carried out April October 2011 determine the prevalence of sub clinical mastitis, associated risk factors and causative micro-organisms. Samples were collected 195 dairy cows on 23 randomly selected farms delivering Isangano, Kirebe Nyagatare collection centres in District, Rwanda. The Draminski Mastitis Detector used detect mastitis individual based electrical conductivity changes. Risk for that evaluated included teat-end condition, cow dirtiness, breed, parity, age stage lactation. Relationships these with status determined using Chi-square analysis, relative importance as causes assessed logistic regression. 16 positive analysed identify micro-organisms Dairy Quality Control Inspection analytical kits. Sub 52% across farms. It higher increases in, amongst other factors, damage severity, level pure breed genetics. considered accounted 62% prevalence; condition alone 30%. Most cases (87.5%) caused coliform bacteria. Considering farmers are upgrading local Ankole cross-breed more susceptible results this indicate need dip teats sanitisers, improve hygiene, introduce prevention control programmes.