MASTITIS IN DAIRY CATTLE: ANIMAL WELFARE AND RELATED FORENSIC ASPECTS

Abstract

The occurrence of mastitis in dairy cattle causes a series of negative impacts on the herd, affecting animal welfare, and consequently its productivity. This illness can be prevented and its possible to mitigated occurrence indexes by the implantation of a hygienic milking process, Legal veterinary medicine acts as an excellent tool that allows to diagnose negligence, carelessness and imprudence during the management of the animals. Thus, the present literature review aimed to discuss the implications of mastitis occurrences in dairy cattle in what concerns animal welfare, allied to the role of legal medicine while tool to identifying the failures relative to the assurance of animals welfare. Therefore, systematic searches of information were carried out in traditional databases, with the help of descriptors relevant to the theme, and then, were selected publications for reading, discussion and synthesis of information. Generally, mastitis has still been shown to be a strong impediment for achieving welfare parameters and animal health in regarding the dairy cattle, especially by implementation of inappropriate management and use of inefficient treatments. Such practices contributed to a greater investigation into non-compliance with animal welfare´s five established freedoms, with the act of forensic medicine. Consequently, reinforces the importance of the veterinary activity, not only to ensure these parameters are properly fulfilled, but also as a relevant figure in the context of one health.