Prevention Through Nutrition
Increasing a cow’s resistance to mastitis pathogens on the teat-end is an important component of immunity in the dairy cow. Nutrition is involved in maintaining immunity. Inadequate energy or deficiencies affect resistance. Diets may be deficient in nutrients that are related to immunocompetence. A balanced ration with proper amounts of minerals and vitamins improves the ability of a cow to ward off bacterial challenges. Recent research does show selenium and vitamin E are related to healthy tissue in the mammary gland.