What should you know about mastitis in sheep?

Mastitis affects the udder and can involve one or more mammary glands. The udder may feel hot, firm, swollen, or painful, while milk can look watery, clotted, discoloured, or reduced. A ewe may stop feeding, become quiet, separate from the flock, or show difficulty allowing a lamb to suckle. A veterinarian may examine the udder and milk to distinguish infection from injury or another udder problem.

Separate the ewe for observation and keep her in a clean, dry area with easy access to water and feed. Do not give human medicines or leftover antibiotics. Avoid forcing a lamb to nurse from an udder that is severely painful or producing abnormal milk until veterinary advice is available. Record when the changes began, which side is affected, and whether the ewe or lamb has eaten.

Contact a veterinarian promptly if the udder is hot, hard, very painful, or rapidly changing, or if the ewe has fever, weakness, poor appetite, or trouble standing. Urgent advice is also needed when a lamb is not feeding or seems weak. Treatment may require prescription medicine, supportive care, and instructions about milk use and withdrawal periods.

Ask which signs suggest infection, whether milk should be tested, how to protect the lamb, and how long prescribed treatment affects milk or meat use. Ask how to clean the housing and monitor the other ewes.