FieldDxMastitis of SheepClinical signs, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention in sheep.
Overview
Udder inflammation in ewes, ranging from subclinical to a severe, sometimes gangrenous form. Most often Staphylococcus aureus or Mannheimia haemolytica; Mycoplasma spp. can also cause severe outbreaks.
Clinical signs
- Peracute, gangrenous, acute, subacute and subclinical forms all occur.
- Gangrene of the mammary gland in very severe cases, and the ewe may die.
- Lamb mortality from starvation.
- Depressed weaning weights in lambs.
Predisposing factors
- Causative organisms include Staphylococcus aureus, which usually produces the gangrenous form.
- Also coagulase-negative staphylococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli, Mannheimia haemolytica and Trueperella pyogenes.
Treatment
The principles of diagnosis and treatment used for bovine mastitis apply to ewes.
Prevention
1. Inspect the mammary gland of ewes before mating. 2. Find and remove animals with chronic mastitis.
Source
MSD Veterinary Manual — Mastitis in Ewes (accessed 2026-07-31)
A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER — Mastitis Of Sheep
Condensed and attributed, never reproduced whole. Open the full entry in the app.