Bovine mastitis and associated risk factors in small holder lactating dairy farms in hawassa, Southern Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2008 to April 2009 in Hawassa town, southern Ethiopia to determine the overall mastitis prevalence and identify the role of potential risk factors in 183 randomly selected srnall holder lactating dairy cows of 53 high grade Holstein Friesian, 113 Holstein-indigenous zebu cross and 17 indigenous zebu breeds. Of the total 183 lactating smallholder 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 breeds was found not affected. Among the potential risk factors considered, breed (χ2= 17.3, P< 0.05), presence of teat lesion and/or tick infestation (χ2= 7.73, P< 0.05), stage of' lactation (χ2=l3.8, P< 0.05) and parity number (χ2 = l9.4, 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. © IDOSI Publications, 2012.