References
Abstract
Clinical mastitis is much less common in dairy sheep and goats than in cattle, but it is still a major cause of loss and impaired welfare. Subclinical mastitis rates range from 5–30%, but it is a significant cause of lost production and impaired milk quality. Gram-positive bacteria, in particular Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, and contagious modes of transmission predominate. Diagnosis is complicated by higher somatic cell counts (SCC) even in uninfected udders, particular in goats. Control of mastitis requires a multimodal approach involving treatment, culling, vaccination and steps to reduce transmission.
As in dairy cattle, intramammary infection in sheep and goats is a major challenge to the health, welfare, productivity and milk quality of dairy small ruminants. The frequency of clinical mastitis is significantly lower than in cattle, but the lack of foremilking in many units means that low-grade mastitis may be overlooked. Clinical mastitis in sheep and goats is often of greater severity than in cattle, with death or culling frequently resulting. Subclinical mastitis occurs in dairy sheep and goats just as it does in cattle, with similar impacts of reduced milk production and reduced milk quality. The detection of subclinical mastitis in small ruminants, especially goats, is complicated by the changes in somatic cell count that occur throughout lactation independent of intramammary infection (Luengo et al, 2004; Koop et al, 2012), and peculiarities of milk secretion that render some automatic counting methods markedly less accurate than in cattle (Dulin et al, 1982).
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