STAPHYLOCOCCAL MASTITIS AND ITS
TREATMENT IN GOAT: A CASE REPORT .
Introduction:
Mastitis is a general term used to denote the
inflammation of the mammary gland
regardless of the cause. It is characterized by
physical, chemical and usually
bacteriological changes in milk and by
pathological changes in the udder. The most
common bacteria that cause mastitis in goats
are Coagulase-negative staphylococci
including Staphylococcus aureus,
Streptococcus agalactiae, S. uberi, S.
dysgalactia, and S. caprae olum.
Enterobacteria such as Escherichia coli,
Coliforms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and
Clostridium spp.) are also commonly
reported. Although several bacterial
pathogens can cause mastitis,
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most
important etiologic agents in mastitis of
cows, goats, and sheep and is probably the
most infectious agent in goats because it
causes a chronic and deep infection in the
mammary glands that is extremely difficult
to cure (Miles et al, 1992). It is found in
both non-clinical and acute clinical cases.
Acute or per-acute attacks are quite similar
to blue bag, the common form recognized in
sheep and goat.
Case history and investigation:
A 5 years old recently parturated goat in 5th
parity, was attended belonging to a local
farmer of Phulbari village in Mangalpur
VDC with the complaints of excessively
swollen udder and general illness. The case
was attended at the premises of the owner.
History revealed abnormally swollen
mammary glands since 15 days before
parturition which was confused with normal
udder growth during pregnancy. Clinical
examination revealed a temperature of 105°
F and an accelerated pulse. The goat
showed depression, and lost appetite.
Typically, the mammary gland was hard,
swollen, almost touching the ground,
reddish in colour and sensitive to touch with
watery milk greenish brown in colour with
flakes and clots , unsuitable to feed the kids.
The case was tentatively diagnosed as
Clinical Mastitis based on history and
clinical findings.
Milk samples from both the teats were
collected aseptically and sent for the lab
tests and microbiological study for definitive
diagnosis which revealed CMT + and
culture showed following characteristics-
Nutrient agar: large, round, smooth, raised,
shiny and opaque colonies. MacConkey’s
agar: very small and pink colonies, which
was confirmed as Staphylococcus spp. based
on colony characteristics. The bacteria was
found sensitive to Gentamycin.
Treatment and Result
As the treatment regimen, 2 ml Proxyvet TM (
meloxicam + paracetamol) was injected I/m
to control fever and inflammation. Inj. E-
care-Se (vitamin E and selenium) 1.5 ml was
injected I/m in alternate days. The owner
was advised to empty the udder as the milk
collects and not let the kids suck the teats.
200 ml Normal saline was injected I/v for 3
days. The owner was advised to clean the
udder regularly, spray Phenol all over the
shed, and regular tip dipping with iodine
solution was recommended. Ice fomentation
was advised in the inflamed half 2/3 times a
day. This was continued till the lab findings
were achieved. After the lab reports
Fig: swollen udder
1
antibiotic therapy was started. Gentamycin
was used parenteraly, 3 ml I/m twice in the
first day and 3 ml once daily for remaining 4
days. Intramammary infusion was done with
Normal saline 50 ml + Dexamethasone 2 ml
+ Gentmycin 3 ml in both halves, massaged
for 5 mins, milked and finally infused the
solution into the halves. This was done twice
a day for 5 days. The fever and
inflammation gradually subsided and the
doe recovered normal appetite. The swollen
udder slowly came to the normal size
although not completely and milk recovered
its normal colour and consistency. Finally
after 2 weeks of therapy the goat was normal
and actively feeding the kids.
Discussion:
Staphylococcus aureus is the most important
mastitic pathogen in most goat herds.
Symptoms vary from acute clinical to
subclinical. In particularly severe cases the
infection may progress to gangrene. It is
characterized by the presence of a watery,
dark red secretion which may be
accompanied by gas bubbles resulting from
secondary infection with gas forming
organisms (particularly Clostridium spp.).
Death may be immediate or occur after
several days. Some animals will recover and
eventually slough away the necrotic tissue
(Radostitis et al., 1994). In the present case
severe clinical mastitis with systemic signs
may have been produced by staphylococcus
probably occurred due to the action of
different toxins that led to the extensive
tissue infections and systemic reaction.
Shearer and Harris (2010) have
recommended investigating the involvement
of generalized condition during mastitis
infection in goat before treatment to decide
whether there is systemic involvement or
not. Upon clinical examination, the signs of
fever, tachycardia and malaise indicate the
systemic infection thus the condition is
chronic and treatment should be indicated to
inhibit infection and to necessarily check
systemic involvement that may lead to death
of animal. Thus treatment was focused on
subsiding the fever, inflammation and to
arrest systemic infection by the organism.
Paracetamol and meloxicam are NSAIDs
and act as systemic anti-inflammatory drugs
when injected via parenteral route. The use
of intramammary infusion containing
Dexamethasone and antibiotic in normal
saline gives promising results during
mastitis to control udder inflammation.
Dexamethason also possesses fibrinolytic
property which is essential in chronic
mastitis. In the last ten years, several
researchers have looked into the use of
supplements and the role of selenium and
vitamin E in the prevention and treatment of
mastitis. Maintaining an adequate level of
selenium in the organism helps prevent
mastitis, reduce the severity of infection and
causes it to last for a shorter period of time.
Selenium serves to reinforce the immune
system response by increasing the release of
leucocytes and increasing the efficiency of
phagocytes(Erskine, R.J., R.J. Eberhart, P.J.
Grosso, R.W. Scholz. 1989). Selenium and
vitamin E work together in the organism.
Thus, a vitamin E supplement of 1000
lU/day alone reduces the somatic cell count
but not the incidence of mastitis(Batra, T.R.,
M. Hidiroglou and M.W. Smith. 1992)
Normal saline is infused I/V to flush the
toxins and pathogens.
Staphylococcus aureus is difficult to
eradicate than other agents, but definitely
controllable. Infected udders are the most
important source of infection. The organism
readily colonizes teat skin lesions and the
teat canal, and eventually passes into the
mammary gland. High bacteria counts in
bulk milk are generally not seen with Staph.
mastitis. However, as the number of infected
animal increases, the bulk milk SCC
2
increases, resulting in decreased milk
quality. Herds with bulk tank milk SCC Refrences
greater than 300,000 to 500,000 cells/ml
often have a high prevalence of Staph.
infected quarters. The bacteria damage the Blood, D.C., O.M. Radostiits and J.A
duct system and establish deep-seated Henderson. 1994. Veterinary
th
pockets of infection in the milk secreting medicine, 8 edition.ELBS
tissues followed by abscess formation and Publication.
walling-off of bacteria by scar tissue. This Miles, H., W. Lesser, and P. Sears. 1992.
walling-off phenomenon is partially The economic implications of
responsible for poor cure rates of Staph. bioengineered mastitis control. J.
aureus infections by antibiotic therapy. Dairy Sci. 75:596–605.
During the early stages of infection, damage Shearer J.K and B. Harris Jr. 2010. Mastitis
is minimal and reversible. However, in Dairy Goat. University of Florida
abscesses may release staphylococci to start IFAS Extension DS85
the infection process in other areas of the
gland with further abscess formation and
irreversible tissue damage. Occasionally,
infection by Staph. aureus may result in
peracute mastitis with gangrene. This
gangrenous mastitis is characterized by a
patchy blue discoloration and coldness of
the affected tissue. Staphylococcal mastitis
is very difficult to treat and may lead to
gangrenous form and even up to culling of
the animal but early and prompt treatment
with suitable antibiotic and proper
prophylactic measures is recommended for
good results.