Prevalence of mastitis among dairy cattle in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau state, Nigeria

Mastitis is a major disease that infects the mammary gland of dairy cattle and adversely affects the quantity and quality of milk produced by cows. This study described the socio-economic characteristics of herdsmen and examined the prevalence rate of mastitis in White Fulani cows in Kanam Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. Four districts were randomly selected from the LGA (among 10 districts) and twenty herdsmen were randomly selected from each of these four districts, making a total of eighty herdsmen. Primary data were collected from the eighty herdsmen using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that majority of the herdsmen (78%) were illiterate and the prevalence rate of mastitis in the study area was 64%. Proper health management measures and vigorous enlightenment campaign by veterinary extension workers were recommended.