What should you know about treating mastitis in ewes?

An affected udder may be hot, swollen, firm, painful, or different between sides. Milk can look watery, clotted, discoloured, or contain blood. The ewe may eat less, appear dull, walk stiffly, or refuse nursing. In severe illness, the udder can become cold or dark and the ewe may be weak or unable to stand.

Mastitis can reduce milk flow and leave lambs hungry. Breast pain and painful breastfeeding describe human symptoms, not a diagnosis for an animal, so a ewe should be assessed by a veterinarian rather than treated from human advice.

Separate the ewe from the flock if advised, keep her in a clean, dry pen, and check that lambs are warm and receiving adequate nutrition. Handle the udder gently and do not forcefully strip it or massage a painful area. Do not give human medicines, leftover antibiotics, or treatments intended for another animal.

A veterinarian may examine the udder, assess hydration and general illness, and choose treatment based on the likely cause. Follow the prescribed dose, route, and duration exactly, and ask about milk or meat withdrawal requirements. A lactation consultation is for human breastfeeding and is not a substitute for veterinary care.

Contact a veterinarian promptly for a hot or painful udder, abnormal milk, poor feeding by lambs, or any change in the ewe's behaviour. Treat weakness, collapse, a cold or dark udder, inability to stand, or marked loss of appetite as urgent signs.

Ask whether the ewe needs isolation, how to support the lambs, whether a milk sample is useful, how to monitor the udder, and when improvement should be expected. Confirm medicine handling and withdrawal instructions before using milk or sending the animal for slaughter.