Abstract

The prevalence and incidence of bacterial mastitis have not been determined for small milking ruminants in Vermont, USA. Milk samples were collected for bacteriology from each gland of 110 goats (6 herds) and 153 sheep (3 herds) within 24 hours of parturition and approximately 40 days later. The prevalence, incidence rate of new infection and the spontaneous cure rate were determined. Goats had a significantly higher prevalence of infection than sheep (P<0.05). Prevalance at parturition and 40 days later was 27.3% and 25.5% and 15.0% and 9.1% for goats and sheep, respectively. Prevalence of mastitis increased with age in goats (P = 0.08) but not sheep and differed among herds (P<0.05). It is concluded that there is variation among species and herds in the prevalence and incidence of mastitis

S, McDougall, JW Pankey, C Delaney, J Barlow, PA Murdough, JL Watts, and D Scruton

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 60, Hamilton, 287-290, 2000