Smallholder Dairy Farms: A Comprehensive Study

Аннотация

Mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary CITATION glands, is one of the most common and costly diseases Dr. William K. Otieno. (2025). Strategies for Managing Mastitis and Antibiotic affecting dairy cattle worldwide, particularly in Usage in Kenyan Smallholder Dairy Farms: A Comprehensive Study. The American Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Wildlife Discovery, 7(03), 1–5. smallholder dairy farming systems in Kenya. This study Retrieved from aimed to evaluate treatment strategies and antibiotic https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajvswd/article/view/6108 usage practices in managing mastitis on Kenyan COPYRIGHT smallholder dairy farms. A cross-sectional survey was © 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms conducted involving 150 smallholder dairy farmers in of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License. central and Rift Valley regions of Kenya. Data was collected through structured interviews and on-farm observations. The study found that most farmers relied on antibiotics for mastitis treatment, with common drugs including penicillin, oxytetracycline, and ampicillin. However, there was limited knowledge regarding appropriate dosing, withdrawal periods, and the risks of antibiotic resistance. Additionally, most farmers lacked access to veterinary advice, and treatment decisions were often based on past experiences rather than scientific guidelines. This study highlights the need for improved education on mastitis management and antibiotic stewardship to enhance both animal welfare and public health. Keywords: Mastitis, Antibiotic Usage, Treatment Strategies, Smallholder Dairy Farms, Kenya, Veterinary Practices, Antibiotic Resistance, Dairy Management. Introduction: Mastitis is a major concern for dairy farmers worldwide, characterized by inflammation of the mammary glands, which leads to reduced milk yield and quality, and in severe cases, the culling of affected animals. In smallholder dairy farming systems, particularly in developing countries like Kenya, mastitis remains a key challenge, impacting both the productivity and profitability of farms. The disease is The American Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Wildlife Discovery 01 https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajvswd The American Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Wildlife Discovery commonly managed with antibiotics, but animal and human health are well-documented. In inappropriate use of these drugs can lead to increased Kenya, the risks associated with inappropriate antibiotic antibiotic resistance, posing a threat to both animal use are heightened due to limited farmer education on and human health. proper antibiotic usage, withdrawal periods, and the dangers of resistance. In Kenya, smallholder dairy farming is a significant economic activity, contributing to the livelihoods of Research on mastitis management in smallholder dairy millions of people. The central and Rift Valley regions, farms in Kenya is limited, particularly when it comes to known for their high milk production, are particularly understanding the treatment strategies and antibiotic vulnerable to mastitis due to factors such as poor usage practices that farmers adopt. Most studies management practices, inadequate veterinary conducted in Kenya focus on technical aspects of dairy services, and limited access to quality drugs. Despite production, such as breeding, feeding, and nutrition, the importance of mastitis in these areas, there is with less emphasis on the specific management of limited data on the treatment strategies and antibiotic diseases like mastitis. Moreover, the role of antibiotics usage practices employed by farmers. This study seeks in managing mastitis and the potential risks associated to fill this gap by exploring the methods used by with their use remain underexplored. The need for more Kenyan smallholder dairy farmers to manage mastitis research in this area is critical, as it can inform policy and the role of antibiotics in their treatment strategies. recommendations, improve farm-level management practices, and contribute to the development of Mastitis is one of the most prevalent and economically sustainable disease management strategies. impactful diseases affecting dairy cattle worldwide. It involves inflammation of the mammary glands, This study aims to fill the knowledge gap by investigating typically caused by bacterial infections, and it leads to the treatment strategies and antibiotic usage practices a range of negative outcomes, including reduced milk employed by smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya to yield, altered milk composition, increased veterinary manage mastitis. The study focuses on two key regions: costs, and, in severe cases, culling of affected animals. Central Kenya and the Rift Valley, which are known for Mastitis can be classified into clinical and subclinical their high dairy production. Through this research, we forms, with the latter being more challenging to detect seek to assess the