Mastitis Identified in Michigan Dairy Herds Phil Sears Dept. of Lg. Fortunately, mastitis due to Mycoplasma species has not been a major problem in Michigan.
Infection is spread from infected to uninfected cows by milkers' hands and milking machines.
Mycoplasma also can be spread by the infusion of intramammary mastitis treatment of lactating or dry cows if stringent sanitary precautions are not followed. Use of rubber or plastic gloves and disinfection of gloved hands between cows, and single-use treatment devices are recommended strongly if treatment for any other type of mastitis is necessary in herds known or suspected to have mycoplasmal mastitis. Many herds become newly infected by adding cows with Mycoplasma -infected udders. However, the disease may suddenly appear in previously uninfected herds without introduction of new cows. Mycoplasmais found widely as a resident of the bovine respiratory tract of apparently normal cows, and transfer of the microorganisms from lungs to the udder can occur.