Seasonal dynamics of mastitis in Gir cows: A comprehensive thermographic assessment

Abstract

Mastitis is a pervasive inflammatory disease of the mammary gland. It poses substantial challenges to global dairy farming by reducing milk quality, impacting animal welfare, and incurring substantial economic losses. This study hypothesized that infrared thermography (IRT) could serve as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for detecting sub-clinical (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) in Bos indicus (Gir) cows across diverse seasonal conditions. Thermographic parameters, including udder and short-milking-tube (SMT) temperatures, were evaluated in conjunction with the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and somatic cell count (SCC). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis assessed the diagnostic performance of IRT, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were computed to explore relationships between thermal metrics, SCC, and CMT scores. The findings revealed temperature differences (p < 0.01) in the eyeball, SMT, and udder skin surface across pre-milking, milking, and post-milking phases, with notable seasonal variations among healthy, SCM, and CM quarters. ROC analysis demonstrated higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for CM cases than SCM across all thermographic parameters. These findings confirmed that IRT effectively captured seasonal and lactation phase-specific variations in udder and teat temperatures, along with SMT temperature variations during the milking phase. These results underscore IRT’s efficacy in detecting inflammation-induced thermal variations, offering a reliable, non-invasive approach for early mastitis diagnosis. This study highlights the potential of IRT to transform mastitis detection in Bos indicus breeds by enabling timely interventions and enhancing herd management strategies. Its integration into precision livestock farming aligns with global efforts to promote sustainable dairy production and improve animal welfare.