Archive Case #83: Bovine Toxic Mastitis

Clinical Clues

1. A recently calved cow is found depressed with a sudden drop in milk yield from one quarter.
2. The affected quarter is swollen and the milk is watery with clots.
3. The cow is tachycardic, weak, and systemically ill rather than just locally painful.
4. Rectal temperature is abnormal and the mucous membranes are injected.
5. Severe mammary gland infection is causing toxaemia.
6. Acute toxic mastitis in cattle combines marked udder changes with rapid systemic compromise.

Diagnosis

Bovine Toxic Mastitis

This case is most consistent with Bovine Toxic Mastitis because the cow has both severe quarter changes and systemic toxaemia. The most important clues are the abnormal milk and rapid whole-animal deterioration, which make a mild subclinical mastitis impossible.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.