Mastitis in Sheep

Question 1

Clinical presentation

Answer 1

• Ewe may be ill (on her own) showing depression and inappetence,
• Ewe may appear lame (painful udder)
• Udder hot and swollen…
• Udder may also be cold and discoloured (“black bag”, left)
• Lambs not feeding…!

Question 2

Pathogens

Answer 2

• The major causative bacterial species for mastitis in sheep are Staphylococcus aureus, Mannheimia haemolytica, E. coli and CNS species
• S. aureus is one of the most frequently detected species responsible for acute mastitis.

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

• Mis-match of milk supply (nutrition of ewe) and milk demand (ewes with triplets)
• Inadequate nutrition of ewe
• Not enough protein in the ration = hungry lambs and teat trauma
• Not enough energy in the ration = poor immune function
• Chilling of the udder (bad weather, lack of shelter, “crutching”)
• Poor anatomy – teat placement
• Teat lesions e.g., Orf or trauma caused by lambs feeding
• Hygiene at lambing and environment management

Question 4

Treatment

Answer 4

• Systemic antibiotic important
• Amoxicillin or oxytetracycline
• Tilmicosin (Cat C) carries a specific indication for treatment of acute mastitis in sheep but beware risk of self-injection…anaphylaxis is reported in humans
• NSAIDs
  ◦ Not licensed for any conditions in sheep
  ◦ Use on the cascade