Prevalence of bovine mastitis in smallholder lactating dairy farms in Hawassa, SNNPR, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted between November 2015 and February 2016 in Hawassa town, SNNPR, Ethiopia to determine the overall mastitis prevalence and identify the role of some selected risk factors in 183 randomly selected small holder lactating dairy cows of 53 high grade Holstein Friesian, 113 Holstein indigenous zebu cross and 17 indigenous zebu breeds. The prevalence of clinical mastitis was determined through examination of abnormalities of milk, udder or cow. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis determined by using indicator paper test. From total 183 lactating dairy cows examined for bovine mastitis 9(4.9%) had clinical mastitis, while 56(30.6%) subclinical mastitis. Out of 9(4.9%) clinical mastitis, 9.43 and 3.53% occurred in high grade Holstein and Holstein indigenous zebu, respectively, but indigenous zebu breed was found not affected. Subclinical mastitis at cow level based on indicator paper test was significantly high (32.07%) in Holstein, (30.9%) in cross breed and (23.5%) in indigenous zebu (p<0.05). Quarter level subclinical mastitis prevalence based on indicator paper test was 32.07, 30.2% and 23.5% in Holstein, cross breed and indigenous zebu, respectively. From the potential risk factors considered, breed (X2=17.3, p<0.05), presence of teat lesion and tick infestation (X2=7.73, p<0.05), stage of lactation (X2=13.8, p<0.05), and parity number (X2=19.4, p<0.05) had significant effect on the prevalence of subclinical mastitis. Considering the possible significant economic losses that could be incurred by both clinical and subclinical mastitis, attention should be paid for further detailed investigation and control measures.