La mamitis de verano, una enfermedad que reduce de forma permanente la capacidad maternal y el valor comercial de las vacas de cría

Abstract

Summer mastitis is an infectious disease that affects the mammary gland of bovine cattle during rest periods (calf heifers and dry cows). This disease is transmitted by the stinging fly known as Hidrotaea irritans, which acts as a carrier of the bacteria that causes the illness during the summer and the early autumn months. This bacteria can be found in the skin of the udder without it having any pathogenic effect. The bacteria has to enter mammary tissue that is wounded from vegetation for the infection to develop.