Therapeutic approach to mammary fistula in a goat – surgical intervention: A case study

Abstract In June 2023, a goat presenting with a mammary gland fistula was admitted to our facility. Upon clinical examination of the patient, apart from the fistula located on the left half of the mammary gland, no other pathological findings were detected. Following diagnosis, the owner consented to surgical intervention involving excision of the lesion. An elliptical excision encompassing all tissue layers down to the mammary cistern was performed. The defect was subsequently closed using a three-layer suture with absorbable suture material. During the postoperative period, systemic antibiotic therapy was administered for ten days. Intramammary antibiotics and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug were applied for three days, in combination with lavage of the mammary cistern using warm physiological saline and local wound care. At the time of removing the tension-relieving sutures, on the eighth day after surgery, the surgical site exhibited no signs of inflammation, and healing was proceeding adequately. The animal was alert, in good clinical condition, and showed interest in feed. On the tenth day, the patient was returned to the owner and reintegrated into the herd. The presented case describes the successful surgical treatment of a mammary fistula in a goat, resulting in complete healing without postoperative complications.