Pathological assessment of clinical mastitis among sahel goats in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria: An abattoir survey

Mastitis imposes a great economic loses in terms of decreased milk yield, increased cost of veterinary services and great risk to the public in terms of microbial spread amongst raw milk consumers. This study tends to investigate clinical mastitis after culling in sahel goats. 105 goats presented for slaughter in Maiduguri abattoir northeastern Nigeria were examined for gross lesion of mastitis followed by CMT screening to identify positive animals. Sixty-six (66) animals were positive for CMT with a prevalence of 63%. Staphylococcus aureus was the frequent isolate (80%, 53/66) followed by Streptococcus spp (20%, 13/66) with no E.coli isolated. Mean length values of gland-to-abdomen of the CMT +3 animals is significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the CMT negative, +1 and +2 groups. Gross lesions examined were lacerations, papillomatous growth, gangrene and abscess which served as predisposing factor to mastitis. Vacuolation of alveolar epithelia, fibroplasia in interstitial and inter-alveolar fibrosis are the found to be the causes of significant increase in the glandular length of the udder. Clinical mastitis is prevalent in sahel goats and one of the major reasons of culling in farm animals. Early screening is therefore advocated to improve herd health and prevent spread among farm animals and to humans.