Micro-organisms associated with non-functional mammary gland quarters in dairy cows in small-scale farms in Kenya

Mammary gland quarters (516) of 139 dairy cows in small scale dairy farms in Kenya were examined by visual observation for size and physical morphology, deep palpation for consistency of the tissues and stripping for the milkability of the quarters.-The prevalence of the non-functional (fibrotic and atrophied) mammary gland quarters was 12.1%. Fibrosis of the mammary gland tissues was the most common cause of the loss of function of the mammary gland quarters (40/67). Secretions were obtained from 63 of the non-functional quarters, out of these 56 were serous while the other 7 were pussy. A positive CMT score was observed in 43 (61.9%) secretions while 24 (38.1%) secretions had a negative CMT score. Bacterial organisms were isolated from 43 secretions (63.3%) and the main bacterial organisms associated with the loss of the mammary gland quarters were Staphylococcus aureus (65.1%) followed by Actinomyces pyogenes (18.6%). Other bacterial organisms isolated from the non functional mammary gland quarters were Streptococcus spp. (9.3%), E. coli (4.7%) and Klebsiella (2.3%).