Mastitis in Sheep: Welfare & Control

Ovine Mastitis and Welfare

Mastitis — inflammation of the mammary gland — is a significant welfare problem in ewes, causing pain, potential loss of milk production for lambs, and in severe cases, gangrenous mastitis that can be life-threatening. Early detection and treatment are critical to welfare outcomes.

Types of Mastitis in Sheep

• Subclinical mastitis: Infection without obvious signs; detected through somatic cell count or bacterial culture. Impairs milk production and lamb nutrition silently.
• Clinical mastitis: Visible swelling, heat, pain, and abnormal milk from the affected half. Causes significant discomfort and reduced milk production.
• Gangrenous mastitis: Caused by Staphylococcus aureus (Mannheimia haemolytica); results in loss of blood supply to the affected gland, severe systemic illness, and is frequently fatal without urgent treatment. A welfare emergency.
• Chronic mastitis: Repeated infections leading to gland fibrosis and permanent production loss.

Welfare Impacts

• Pain and discomfort from inflamed mammary tissue
• Systemic illness (fever, inappetence, depression) in clinical cases
• Lamb welfare impact from reduced milk availability
• Severe suffering and mortality risk in gangrenous cases
• Chronic pain and disability from fibrotic glands

Detection

• Regular udder palpation at key times (pre-lambing, during lactation)
• Fore-milk stripping to detect clots, blood, or abnormal secretions
• Californian Mastitis Test (CMT) for subclinical detection
• Individual ewe somatic cell count in milk-recorded flocks
• Observing ewes for lameness (walking with legs spread), licking at udder, lambs suckling excessively

Treatment and Prevention

• Antibiotics: Intramammary and systemic antibiotics under veterinary direction; prompt treatment prevents progression to gangrenous forms.
• NSAIDs: Meloxicam reduces inflammation and pain — evidence-based welfare requirement alongside antibiotic treatment.
• Supportive care: Fluid therapy and intensive nursing for severely affected ewes.
• Culling decisions: Ewes with chronic or recurrent mastitis or gangrenous udder loss should be culled on welfare grounds.
• Prevention: Good hygiene at lambing, dry ewe therapy, teat dipping, and managing ewe nutrition to support immune competence.

Key Takeaways

Mastitis causes significant welfare harm in affected ewes, ranging from subclinical discomfort to life-threatening gangrenous disease. Regular udder monitoring, prompt treatment including analgesia, and preventive management are the cornerstones of ovine mastitis welfare control.