What is Mastitis in Goats

In this post, I'd like to cover all aspects of what is Mastitis in goats. What causes mastitis, how to diagnose mastitis, and an overview of how to treat mastitis. I will have a future post covering mastitis treatment in more detail.

Mastitis in goats is an inflammatory condition of the mammary gland. This can lead to reduced milk production, poor milk quality, and even the death of the affected animal in severe cases. Mastitis in goats is caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It can occur at any stage of lactation. The disease can be acute or chronic and is often associated with management factors, such as poor hygiene, inadequate nutrition, and inappropriate milking techniques.

It can also be caused by kids favoring one teat over another, as in our case. Our doe had twins and the kids preferred her one side to the other. The one side would become engorged and they would be even less interested as the teat was too large to suckle. We began milking out her one side as soon as we realized it, but she was already showing signs of inflammation in that half of her udder.

Early detection and prompt treatment of mastitis are crucial to prevent the spread of the infection. This article will provide an overview of mastitis in goats, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase through my link which is of no cost to you. Thank you for your support!

I am not a veterinarian, this is only an example of what we do with our animals. Please consult your vet before making any health decisions with your animals.

What causes mastitis in Goats

Mastitis in goats can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Some of the most common bacterial pathogens involved in goat mastitis are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Escherichia coli. In addition to pathogens, management factors can also contribute to the development of mastitis in goats. These factors include poor hygiene practices, inadequate nutrition, and inappropriate milking techniques. Dirty or wet bedding, dirty udders, and overcrowding can all increase the risk of mastitis. Insufficient or imbalanced nutrition can also lead to weakened immune systems in goats, making them more susceptible to mastitis. Lastly, improper milking techniques, waiting too long between milkings, allowing kids to favor one side, using dirty equipment, not dipping the teats before the wax cap is sealed over the teat tip, or not milking the udder completely. All these things can introduce bacteria into the udder and cause infection or inflamation.

Symptoms of mastitis in goats

Mastitis in goats can present with several symptoms, which may vary depending on the severity and type of the infection. Some of the common symptoms of mastitis in goats are:

Swelling and heat: The udder of the goat becomes swollen, hot, and painful to touch. The affected area may feel hard and tender.
Abnormal milk: The milk may have a watery, clumpy, or bloody appearance, and may have an off-smell or taste.
Decreased milk production: The goat may produce less milk than usual or stop producing milk altogether.
Behavioral changes: The goat may appear lethargic, and have a decreased appetite. Exhibiting signs of pain, such as vocalizing or kicking.
Fever: The goat may have a high fever, indicating an infection.
Subclinical mastitis: In some cases, there may be no visible symptoms of mastitis, but the goat may have an increased somatic cell count in the milk.

It is important to note that not all goats with mastitis will exhibit all of these symptoms. In some cases, mastitis may be subclinical, meaning that the goat may not show any visible symptoms but may still be infected. Therefore, regular monitoring and testing of the milk and udder are essential to detect mastitis early and prevent the spread of infection.

You can see her left udder is larger than the right. The dark spots on her udder is not mastitis, it's dried blood from giving birth that hasn't been washed off yet.

Diagnosing mastitis in goats

Diagnosing mastitis in goats involves a combination of physical examination, laboratory or at home tests, and in some cases, a milk culture.

The physical examination involves inspecting the udder for any visible signs of inflammation, such as swelling, redness, or heat. The milk is also examined for any abnormalities, such as clots, changes in color or consistency, or the presence of blood.

We like to use a strip cup which helps filter out any strange clumps in the milk and will tell us if anything is abnormal. After milking the initial waste squirts. Squirt a draw of milk into the strip cup. The cup has a fine mesh strainer which filters out any abnormalities.

Laboratory tests, such as the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and the Somatic Cell Count (SCC) test, can be used to measure the level of white blood cells or somatic cells in the milk, which are indicators of mastitis. A high SCC count is indicative of mastitis, while a CMT test can detect the presence of mastitis in individual sections of the udder.

To conduct a CMT you will need both the CMT Solution and the CMT Paddle which used to be sold together as a kit but is now sold separately.

What is mastitis in goats California Mastitis Test

Check out my post How to Use a CMT Test for a step-by-step tutorial coming soon.

Milk culture is another test that can be used to diagnose mastitis in goats. This involves collecting a sample of milk from the affected udder and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will then culture the milk to identify the specific bacteria or other pathogens that are causing the mastitis. This test provides more specific information about the type of pathogen causing mastitis, which can help guide treatment decisions.

Treatment of mastitis in goats (3 stages)

The treatment of mastitis in goats depends on the severity and type of the infection. Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and supportive care.

Stage 1

At the first sign of an abnormality in our goat's milk or udder, we test with the California Mastitis Test. Sometimes the test will show a mild case. In these cases, we milk out more frequently, apply warm compresses, massage and test each day to see if the udder is getting better. I feel for fever in the udder, and hardness and look for blood or clumps in the milk. I also take the goat's temperature. (How to take a goat's temperature is coming soon.) Usually, if it's a mild case the goat will not run a fever.

Stage 2

If the CMT test is jelling quite a bit, or the supportive care is not handling the inflammation, we treat with ToDay which is a mastitis medication meant for cattle. I found it here on Amazon, but you may find it as your local feedstore for less money. To dose it for goats use 1/2 syringe in each teat. You milk out the udder completely, then inject 1/2 syringe into the teat through the teat opening. Wait 12 hours, empty the udder again, and treat again with another dose of ToDay. We continue with supportive care; massaging, warm compresses, and more frequent milking until the mastitis is cleared up. The milk withdrawal on the ToDay is 4 days after the last dose. This is usually enough to cure a case of mastitis in our goats. We've never had an acute case.

Stage 3

In severe cases, a veterinarian may be needed. Antibiotics are often prescribed to treat the bacterial infection causing the mastitis. The type and duration of the antibiotic treatment will depend on the specific bacteria causing the infection, as determined by the milk culture. It is important to follow the veterinarian's instructions and administer the antibiotics for the full course of treatment.

Anti-inflammatory medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain in the udder. These medications can also help to improve milk production.

In severe cases of mastitis, the goat may need to be hospitalized and receive intravenous fluids and medications to manage the infection and prevent complications. Surgery may also be required in some cases, such as if an abscess develops in the udder.

Prevention of mastitis in goats

Preventing mastitis in goats is essential to maintain the health and productivity of the herd. Here are some ways to prevent mastitis in goats:

Cleanliness: Maintain clean and hygienic conditions in the barn, including keeping the udders clean and dry. This can help to prevent bacteria from entering the udder and causing infections.
Proper milking techniques: Use proper milking techniques, including wearing gloves and disinfecting the udder and milking equipment before and after milking. This can help to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Regular udder checks: Regularly inspect the udders of all goats for signs of mastitis. This can help to detect mastitis early and prevent the spread of infection.
Proper nutrition: Provide proper nutrition to the goats, including a balanced diet and access to clean water. This can help to maintain their overall health and reduce the risk of mastitis.
Vaccination: Consider vaccinating the goats against common pathogens that can cause mastitis, such as Staphylococcus aureus.
Culling: Cull goats that have a history of chronic or recurrent mastitis. These goats can be a source of infection for other goats in the herd.
Quarantine: Isolate any new goats that are introduced to the herd and monitor them for signs of mastitis.

By following these preventive measures, goat owners can help to reduce the incidence of mastitis in their herds and ensure the health and productivity of their goats.

Dipping goats after milking

At the tip of the teat is the opening where the milk comes out. When milk is not being expressed, the opening forms a wax cap which seals out bacteria from entering the udder. When a baby goat nurses it has antibacterial properties in its saliva which coat and protect the teat opening until that wax cap can form again. This is why it is important to dip or spray your goat's teats after being milked. So bacteria don't enter before her wax seal reforms. We dip in 1% Iodine solution.

We dip in iodine in a small cup. Or you can use a dip cup.

See our Goat Milking Routine for more information.

Can you drink the raw milk of goats with mastitis?

I've done a lot of research on this subject and it seems everyone has an opinion so I will share what we do. We drink our goat's milk raw. If our goat shows any signs of mastitis we stop drinking the milk until the goat tests negative and is cleared from any withdrawal period due to medications.

I've read many people say it is perfectly fine to drink milk from a goat with mastitis, and that it won't cause any ill health for the consumer. While this may be true, the fact remains that there is an infection in that udder where the milk is coming from. White blood cells, bacteria, and even pus are in that milk. I've also read that if you pasteurize the milk it kills any bacteria. However, pasteurizing doesn't remove the pus and cells in the milk, even if the bacteria are dead.

So I suggest you do your own research. Decide what you're comfortable consuming.