Prevalence and risk factors of subclinical mastitis in goats in western Algeria

Abstract

Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is a frequent disease in dairy goats that negatively impact milk quality and yield, leading to substantial economic losses. This cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of SCM and its associated risk factors among dairy goats in western Algeria. The study included 22 farms, and data on risk factors were collected using a questionnaire administered to the farmers. A total of 150 goats, with no clinical signs of mastitis, were randomly selected to determine the prevalence of SCM, using the California Mastitis Test. The Generalised Linear Mixed Model was used to identify the risk factors. The estimated prevalence of SCM was 20.7%. The results of the model indicated that the risk of SCM is significantly higher in does that had dirty udders, raised in unclean barns, were multiparous or in the late stage of lactation. Our findings emphasise the importance of appropriate herd management practices in reducing the prevalence of SCM in dairy goat herds.