The objective of this study was to analyze the risk factors for bovine mastitis in the micro-region of Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil. For this, was submitted for microbiologic exam 1260 milk samples and on each farm was applied a questionnaire about characteristics of animal breeds, general data from the farm, handling of cattle and sanitary measures for milking. To analyze the risk factors, a logistic regression was made as a dependent variable of the microbiologic exam. The microbiologic exams showed 477 (37.9%) positive samples and 783 (62.1%) negatives ones. The risk factors for bovine mastitis were: the semi-intensive breeding system (OR=2.3, p<0.0001), feeding during milking (OR=1.3, p=0.0101), antimicrobial shift (OR=1.3, p=0.00770), and dry cow therapy (OR=1.5; p=0.0013). The results show that the main risk factors are associated with handling to which the cattle is submitted. The knowledge of these factors allow to adopt prevention and control measures to avoid mastitis to improve animal productivity and gain within the production system.
Mastitis; epidemiology; cattle
