A Guide to Mastitis in Goats

March 25, 2025

Every operation faces challenges. We hope mastitis in goats is not one of them. However, just in case, the DuraFerm® team created this educational resource. We want to create awareness and provide education about the benefits and challenges of raising goats. Then, you can make the best decision for your respective operation. 

DuraFerm nutritional supplements ensure your animals receive optimal digestive health and nutrition. The result? Maximized performance at every production stage. We specifically formulate our products for both goats and sheep, so each species gets the nutrients they require and deserve.

Understanding Mastitis in Goats

Mastitis in goats is a common and potentially severe condition that impacts both dairy and meat goats. It is an inflammation of the mammary gland, often caused by bacterial infections but sometimes linked to fungal or viral pathogens.

Mastitis strikes when harmful microorganisms invade the udder tissue, causing inflammation, pain and changes in milk production. The condition can be classified into two main types:

  • Clinical Mastitis – This form is visibly apparent, with symptoms like swelling, redness and abnormal milk.
  • Subclinical Mastitis – This type is more subtle since it does not show obvious symptoms but can significantly impact milk production and quality.

Common Causes of Mastitis

Mastitis is triggered by various factors. Those include:

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections are the most common cause of mastitis in goats. Various bacteria enter the udder through the teat canal, leading to infection. Common bacteria include:

  • Staphylococcus aureus – Can cause chronic mastitis with abscess formation.
  • Streptococcus – This leads to acute and subclinical mastitis.
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli) – Typically associated with environmental mastitis.
  • Mycoplasma – Causes contagious mastitis that spreads within herds.

Poor Milking Hygiene

  • Dirty hands, contaminated milking machines or unclean udders can introduce bacteria.
  • Improper milking technique may cause teat injuries, increasing infection risk.
  • Leaving residual milk in the udder can create a breeding ground for bacteria.

Environmental Factors

  • Dirty bedding and pens – Manure, mud and damp conditions promote bacterial growth.
  • Crowded living conditions – Increase the chance of infection spreading between goats.
  • Flies and other insects – Can transmit bacteria to the udder.

Physical Injuries

  • Kicks, bites or pressure on the udder can cause tissue damage, adding susceptibility to infection.
  • Rough handling during milking might cause teat trauma.

Nutritional Deficiencies

  • Lack of Vitamin E and Selenium – Weakens immune response, making goats more prone to infections.
  • Poor overall diet – Reduces the body’s ability to fight infections.

Weakened Immune System

  • Stress from kidding, malnutrition or other diseases can lower the goat’s ability to fight off infections.
  • We know that 70% of the immune response is found in the digestive system. If you can keep your goats’ digestive system healthy, your goat will stay healthier.

Congestion in the Udder

  • If a goat is not milked regularly or a kid stops nursing from one teat, milk can accumulate and create an environment for bacterial growth. This congestion in the udder is commonly referred to as milk stasis.

Contagious Spread from Other Goats

  • Infected goats can spread bacteria through shared bedding, milking equipment or direct contact.
  • You should quarantine a doe with mastitis from the herd if space allows.

Signs & Symptoms of Mastitis in Goats

The symptoms of mastitis vary depending on its severity and cause. Some common signs for clinical mastitis include:

  • Swollen, hot or painful udder
  • Reddened or hardened mammary tissue
  • Abnormal milk that is clotted, full of pus, watery or bloody
  • Reduced milk production
  • Fever and lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Limping due to pain in the udder

Symptoms of subclinical mastitis – where the symptoms are not readily visible include:

  • No visible udder changes
  • Decreased milk production
  • Increased somatic cell count in milk (detected via testing)
  • Slight changes in milk texture or taste

How to Diagnose Mastitis

Diagnosing mastitis in goats accurately and promptly is essential for effective treatment. Common diagnostic methods include:

  • Physical Examination: Checking for udder swelling, pain and temperature changes.
  • Milk Examination: Observing abnormal milk characteristics like clots, color and consistency.
  • California Mastitis Test: This rapid field test detects increased somatic cell count in milk.
  • Milk Culture and Sensitivity Testing: Identifies the specific pathogen causing the infection and determines the appropriate antibiotic.

Prevention of Mastitis

At BioZyme®, makers of DuraFerm, we always encourage prevention in favor of treatment. We know that preventing mastitis isn’t always possible. However, it can be accomplished. Preventing mastitis requires a combination of good herd management, hygiene and nutrition. Some key preventive measures include:

Proper Milking Practices

Wash hands and sanitize teats before milking. Use clean, well-maintained equipment that is kept sanitized and cleaned between does. Ensure complete milk-out during each session.

Apply post-milking teat disinfectants to reduce bacterial exposure to the udders. Finally, avoid over-milking that can cause teat damage.

Maintain a Clean Environment

Keep bedding dry and clean, especially during kidding when lactation is happening. Provide proper ventilation in barns. Avoid overcrowding. Regularly clean and disinfect milking stations.

Nutritional Support & Health Monitoring:

Ensure goats have access to fresh, clean water. Check their water source at least twice daily. Minimize stress and handling. Provide a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Monitor herd health regularly for early signs of mastitis.

If you are looking for a vitamin and mineral source to provide your herd, look no further than DuraFerm.

DuraFerm is a line of nutritional supplements for sheep and goats that supports optimal digestion and nutrition for maximized performance at every production stage.  DuraFerm supplements might not prevent or treat mastitis; however, they will keep your herd healthier from the get-go, boosting immunity through gut health.

With two different formulas made specifically for goats, DuraFerm mineral is ideal for any operation’s management goals. It contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and high levels of vitamin E for reproductive tract repair. Additionally, it supports embryo production and conception using organic trace minerals.   

DuraFerm® Goat Concept•Aid®   

Are you looking for a loose mineral best for your herd’s nutrition needs? DuraFerm Goat Concept•Aid is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for goats that supports reproductive success.   

DuraFerm® Goat Concept•Aid® Protein Tub   

Another product that can provide complete nutrition plus protein: the DuraFerm Goat Concept•Aid Protein Tub. This protein tub with vitamins and minerals for goats supports reproductive success.   

The 50-pound tub contains the Concept•Aid goat mineral package in a 20% natural protein tub. It supports embryo production and conception using organic trace minerals and elevated levels of vitamin E. Like all DuraFerm products, it contains Amaferm to enhance digestibility.  

“DuraFerm is formulated at 2.5 times the NRC requirements to ensure that your herd is getting the best nutritional supplement possible. Add that in with the Amaferm, Vitamin E and organic trace minerals, you are sure to have some of the healthiest, most reproductively sound females,” said Sam Silvers, Director of National Specialty Livestock.  

More about DuraFerm

DuraFerm is brought to you by BioZyme® Inc., a leading fermentation company pioneering advancements in animal nutrition and health. Through innovative research and high-quality manufacturing, BioZyme creates powerful solutions that improve animal performance and support producer profitability in the agricultural industry. Best of all, DuraFerm products support reproduction using organic trace minerals.  

Our mission: undeniable positive impact on the health and wellness of your animals and your business.  

Understanding mastitis is vital for maintaining herd health and ensuring the welfare of affected goats. It’s important to our team, and it is important to provide education to other goat producers. That’s part of our care that comes full circle.

Treatment of Mastitis

Treatment strategies depend on the severity and cause of mastitis. Early intervention improves recovery chances and prevents complications.

Antibiotics are common for most mastitis treatments. Intramammary antibiotic infusion is common for bacterial mastitis. Systemic antibiotics may be required for severe cases. As always follow veterinarian recommendations for proper dosage and duration of antibiotics.

In addition to antibiotics, regular milking removes infected milk and reduces bacterial load. While you want to milk out the doe, provide milk replacer to her kids so they receive the healthy nutrition they need while they are young. Removing kids from a doe with mastitis is important to ensure their health and prevent spread.

Work with your vet to provide anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and fever. Additionally, warm compresses relieve udder swelling and discomfort. Ensure the impacted does receive adequate hydration and nutrition to support immune function.

Some producers might prefer more natural treatments along with using conventional medicine. Consider using herbal therapies like garlic or turmeric. Essential oil like tea tree oil for external application relieves the pain.

As a final measure, in chronic or severe cases where treatment is ineffective, culling the mastitis-infected doe might be necessary to protect the herd and prevent spreading to the rest of the does.

Get Your DuraFerm Today

Hopefully you have learned mastitis in goats is a serious health challenge that requires awareness, good management and timely intervention. Understanding the signs, implementing preventive measures, and ensuring prompt treatment can significantly reduce its impact. Adding DuraFerm to your operation is also a good way to ensure your herd is getting proper nutrition and building immunity.   

Find a dealer closest to you by using our dealer locator.    

Perhaps you want to buy it online. You certainly can!    

Want more information about DuraFerm or to use our goat gestation calculators? Visit us online.