Swollen Mammary Glands in Mares Could Be Sign of Mastitis

Mastitis is a bacteria that infects the mammary gland and creates swelling. It is rare but can happen during nursing as well as after weaning. Mastitis is a swollen udder that is warm to the touch and may produce curdled milk. In severe cases the swelling may be under the thighs to include a round area under the abdomen. The mare may not allow the foal to nurse but even if she does you should not. The foal should be fed by hand.

The milk in the udders should be removed by hand as well to reduce the swelling and aid in continuing the production of milk after the infection is treated. A culture is taken to confirm the diagnosis. Antibiotics are given prior to the culture results to treat the infection and should clear up swiftly. The foal should be able to return to nursing within seven to ten days. If lactation drys up during the time of treatment nothing can be done.

It is a bad idea to wean a foal in a back and forth method. Do not take them off one day to let them return to nursing the next. This can cause many problems for the mare not just the pain of Mastitis.

One thing to watch for when buying a mare which is being weaned from foal at time of purchase is this infection. There is stress involved in the initial separation of mare and foal. When you add moving the mare to a new location the anxiety can create the onset of this inflammation that if not treated can become uncomfortable and dangerous. Recently a mare was relocated to my ranch that developed these symptoms. Her relocation was the first separation and the initial weaning from her foal. She was also undernourished. The swelling presented itself under the abdomen and looked unusual to the common signs of Mastitis. Penicillin was given and the mare showed improvement within 48 hours.

As with all illnesses consulting your veterinarian is best to assure the proper treatment.