PREVALENCE OF SUB-CLINICAL MASTITIS IN BUFFALOES AT LIVESTOCK RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STATION, PAHARPUR AND SURROUNDINGS OF TEHSIL PAHARPUR DISTRICT D.I. KHAN, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

ABSTRACT Mastitis is one of the most important and economic disease of dairy industry worldwide. Sub-clinical mastitis causes hidden losses in terms of milk production and is not observed by the animal owners. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Sub-clinical Mastitis in Buffaloes at LR&DS, Paharpur and surroundings of Tehsil Paharpur district D.I. Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Milk samples were collected from apparently mastitis free 2000 quarters of 500 buffaloes. The samples were subjected to California Mastitis Test (CMT). The overall prevalence was 27.6 % and incidences were higher in hindquarters than forequarters. Total numbers of quarters affected with sub-clinical mastitis were 291 out of 2000 in buffaloes. Among these, 54(18.55%) were right fore, 84(28.86%) right hind, 51(17.52%) left fore and 102(35%) left hind quarters. The incidence of sub-clinical mastitis was also observed owing to the certain risk factors, i.e. are Age, lactation numbers, stage of lactation, method of milking and type of housings were the important risk factors advancing the occurrence of sub-clinical mastitis. The prevalence of sub-clinical mastitis was found highest in the adult age group buffaloes i.e 35.38 % than young age buffaloes i.e. 14.86 %. Higher prevalence was noted in 7-9 lactation number i.e. 49.25 % followed by 4-6 lactation number i.e. 28.52 %. Prevalence was higher in the late lactation stage i.e 31.69 % than early lactation stage i.e. 29.34 % respectively. The sub-clinical mastitis prevalence was found more in the knuckling method of milking 31.19 % followed by the full hand i.e. 17.70 %. The nature of housing had higher prevalence in kutcha type 31.69 % and 26.18 % in puccka type was seen. The results of statistical analysis revealed that no significant difference observed in infection amongst the stage of lactation, housing of the animal and lactation number. Age groups and method of milking were found statistically significant (P