Abstract
The present study was carried out to test the effectiveness of a standard treatment for the control of subclinical mastitis during lactating period in a modern, commercial dairy sheep farm. For this purpose, 140 Chios ewes were randomly selected and divided into two groups (control n = 70, treated n = 70) throughout their first lactating period. Milk yields were individually recorded and representative milk samples were collected from each mammary half, once monthly. Ewes giving apparently normal milk, but with Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) ≥ 500 × 10 3 cells/ml and bacteriologically positive were considered to have subclinical mastitis. Animals from the treated group suffering subclinical mastitis were subjected to a 3-day im treatment with Penethamate hydroiodide, while those of control group received no treatment. The percentage of animals from the treated group with SCC ≥ 500 × 10 3 cells/ml was lower compared to that of the control group throughout lactation, except from the last month when it was similar. Nevertheless, this difference was not significant ( P > 0.05). Prevalence of subclinical mastitis was unaffected, although treated animals showed lower rates throughout lactation ( P > 0.05). At the end of lactation 5.3% of the animals from the treated group and 15.6% from the control group had subclinical mastitis. Coagulase negative staphylococci were the only organisms isolated and they were generally sensitive to Penethamate hydroiodide. The predominant species identified was Staphylococcus epidermidis (60%). Ewes from the treated group produced more milk compared to those from the control group ( P < 0.05).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
