Ewe Mastitis

I have not written too many articles on ewe mastitis, possibly because there is not a lot we can do about it when discovered. The classic signs from a distance are:

• Lame /stiff gait.

• Sitting down when other ewes grazing.

• Shelly gaunt lambs hanging around a ewe.

Closer inspection

• Udder swollen and purple/blue. Cold. Watery bloody discharge. This is black mastitis.

There main course of action when cold and blue is to cut the teat off to drain the poison out. Administering long acting antibiotics and some anti-inflammatory drugs may have some benefit to keeping her alive. The vet only footrot antibiotic is actually the most potent for treating ewe mastitis. I have never found cow tube treatments any use. Removal to a hospital paddock for monitoring is a good idea.

The cause has often been reported to be Staph aureus bacteria, but there are other bacteria types that can cause sheep mastitis. If you have had some causes getting laboratory culture could help tease out the risk factors of the pathogen. If you are seeing any higher rates of mastitis, joint ill or pneumonia it might be worth investigating.

Common risk factors for sheep mastitis are:

• 1 – 6 weeks into lactation. Usually higher producing multiples.

• Teat damage (chewing, cracks, scabby mouth).

• Recent cold snap.

• Mob stocking/ higher densities.

• “Dirty” paddocks. i.e. that have over hanging shaded trees, swamp areas or common dirty camp areas.

Checking udders 1 month after weaning is advised to prevent the subtle cases slipping through for another season.