Effect of early puerperal mastitis in primiparous cows on production, somatic cell count and culling

A retrospective cohort study was performed to investigate the effect of cli nical mastitis in heifers during the first week post partum (p.p.) on subse quent health and productivity. Primiparous cows that had calved between Aug ust 15th, 1996 and August 14(th), 1997 (n = 1389) were included in the stud y. Milk samples were collected from each quarter post partum prior to first milking. The predominant group of bacteria found were Staphylococcus spp. (69 %) followed by Streptococcus spp.(12 %) and E. coli (5 %). Intramammary infections at calving increased the risk of clinical mastitis within the f irst week p.p. The cow incidence of mastitis until day 7 p. p. was 38 %. Co ws were classified into three groups. Group 1: Animals with clinical mastit is prior to carving (n = 35); Group 2: Animals with clinical mastitis betwe en carving and 7 days p. p. (n = 503); Group 3: Animals without mastitis un til 7 days p. p. (n = 851). Mastitis prior to parturition and mastitis with in the first week p.p. increased the risk of further cases of mastitis and culling during the first 45 days of lactation. Milk yield of Group 2 was lo wer and somatic cell counts were higher than in Group 3.