GangrenousMastitis

Gangrenous mastitis, also called “Black Mastitis”, is a bacterial infection of the mammary gland, in most cases caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Affected goats are in pain and have high fever for a short period, but soon become hypothermic. The udder is hard, swollen, and painful. Initially it is hot, but then it becomes cold. The secretion of the mammary gland becomes a watery, blood containing serous fluid. The infection can rapidly progress to blood poisoning (toxaemia), and death may occur within 24 hours. This text is a documentation of a case of gangrenous mastitis that occurred on our farm, where the goat survived. It has been written with the intention to illustrate the process that has to be expected when the decision is made to (try to) save the goat.