Abstract

This trial aimed to identify the bacterial pathogens associated with caprine mastitis and to determine the prevalence of infection in early lactation. Milk samples for bacteriology and somatic cell count (SCC) were collected from both glands of 400 goats in four herds. Bacteria were isolated from 28% (222/800) of the total glands sampled. Coagulase negative staphylococcus (12.9%), Corynebacterium spp. (11.5%) and Staphylococcus aureus (1.4%) were the most prevalent isolates. Infected glands had a significantly higher SCC than uninfected glands (473 x 103 (399 -563 x 103) vs. 123 x 103 (112 -136 x 103), geometric mean SCC and 95% confidence interval; P<0.05). Infection increased SCC and the degree of increase in SCC varied between pathogens

F, Anniss, and S McDougall

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 60, Hamilton, 284-286, 2000