Mastitis in Small Ruminants

Abstract

This paper reviews the epidemiology, etiologies, risk factors, and preventive management strategies used to minimize mastitis in dairy sheep and dairy goats. Clinical mastitis typically occurs in <5% of lactating does and ewes, but subclinical mastitis may occur in up to 15-30% of animals. Somatic cell counts (SCC) of milking ewes can be used to define subclinical mastitis, and a threshold of about 200,000 to 400,000 cells per mL will accurately identify most infected ewes. Interpretation of SCC values of milking goats is complicated by the presence of cytoplasmic particles in milk. However, intramammary infection (IMI) in milking does results in increased SCC values which must be interpreted based on intervening physiological factors such as stage of lactation, parity, and estrus. Milking management and dry-off treatment are important strategies for producers to adopt to minimize the development of new IMI.