Mastitis continues to be difficult to prevent and treat promptly on dairy operations. That’s because it’s not immediately a visual ailment. Subclinical mastitis treatment is rarely recommended during lactation due to high costs. But when subclinical mastitis is treated early, research supports production impacts can be diminished.

Current research from California Mastitis Tests seeks to target early intervention protocols. Cowside tests have been conducted by binding white blood cells in milk during infection. The resulting gel indicates positive subclinical cases and was accurate 79% of the time.

Read more on subclinical mastitis treatment to avoid milk discard here.