PREVALENCE OF MASTITIS DIAGNOSED BY THE CMT TEST

Abstract

Bovine mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland caused by various pathogens and is one of the main diseases affecting the dairy industry. It is divided into clinical, with visible signs, and subclinical, identified by changes in milk, particularly increased somatic cell count, detected using the California Mastitis Test (CMT). The study results showed a high prevalence of subclinical mastitis, highlighting poor management, inadequate hygiene, and milking machine issues as major risk factors. It is concluded that subclinical mastitis represents a significant challenge for dairy production, making prevention, early diagnosis, and proper management essential to reduce economic losses and improve milk quality.