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===Introduction===

===Introduction===

Summer mastitis is a separate syndrome to the usual mastitis affecting cattle. As the name suggests, it is predominantly seen during the summer period which is thought to be related to the seasonal presence of the sheep head fly (''Hydrotea irritans'') that may be involved in disease transmission. It is usually seen in dry cows and heifers with [[Dry Cow Therapy|dry cow therapy]] thought to offer some protection against disease. The disease is characterised by the formation of a large abscess in the affected quarter that may burst through the skin.

Summer mastitis is a separate syndrome to the usual mastitis affecting cattle. As the name suggests, it is predominantly seen during the summer period which is thought to be related to the seasonal presence of the sheep head fly ([[Hydrotaea_irritans|''Hydrotea irritans'']]) that may be involved in disease transmission. It is usually seen in dry cows and heifers with [[Dry Cow Therapy|dry cow therapy]] thought to offer some protection against disease. The disease is characterised by the formation of a large abscess in the affected quarter that may burst through the skin.

No single causal pathogen appears to be responsible for the condition with a variety of organisms being isolated from clinical cases. These include ''Arcanobacter pyogenes'', ''Streptococcus dysgalactiae'' , ''Peptococcus indolicus'', ''Bacteroides melaninogenicus'' and ''Fusobacterium necrophorum''. In the UK, ''A. Pyogenes'' is the most commonly isolated seen in 85% of cases (Hillerton, 1988).

No single causal pathogen appears to be responsible for the condition with a variety of organisms being isolated from clinical cases. These include [[Arcanobacter pyogenes|''Arcanobacter pyogenes'']], ''Streptococcus dysgalactiae'' , ''Peptococcus indolicus'', ''Bacteroides melaninogenicus'' and [[Fusobacterium_necrophorum|''Fusobacterium necrophorum'']]. In the UK, [[Arcanobacter pyogenes|''A. Pyogenes'']] is the most commonly isolated seen in 85% of cases (Hillerton, 1988).

===Treatment===

===Treatment===

Treatment should include parenteral antibiotics, NSAIDS and regular stripping of the affected quarter which may be facilitated by prior intramuscular injection of oxytocin. Penicillin based antibiotics are usually used due to their effectiveness against the most commonly isolated pathogen (''A. pyogenes'' ). Stripping is preferable to using intramammary antibiotic tubes. Occasionally, it is not possible to strip the affected quarter due to considerable discomfort by the cow or a blocked teat canal/cistern. In these cases, a teat amputation or incision into the teat cistern may be necessary to establish drainage.  

Treatment should include parenteral antibiotics, NSAIDS and regular stripping of the affected quarter which may be facilitated by prior intramuscular injection of oxytocin. Penicillin based antibiotics are usually used due to their effectiveness against the most commonly isolated pathogen ([[Arcanobacter pyogenes|''A. pyogenes'']]). Stripping is preferable to using intramammary antibiotic tubes. Occasionally, it is not possible to strip the affected quarter due to considerable discomfort by the cow or a blocked teat canal/cistern. In these cases, a teat amputation or incision into the teat cistern may be necessary to establish drainage.  

===Prevention===

===Prevention===

Prevention is through [[Dry Cow Therapy|dry cow therapy]] (antibiotics and internal teat sealants) and fly control. ''Hydrotea irritans'' tends to favour wooded areas with certain pastures seemingly at higher risk. Avoidance of these pastures is therefore recommended during the summer period.

Prevention is through [[Dry Cow Therapy|dry cow therapy]] (antibiotics and internal teat sealants) and fly control. [[Hydrotaea irritans|''Hydrotea irritans'']] tends to favour wooded areas with certain pastures seemingly at higher risk. Avoidance of these pastures is therefore recommended during the summer period.