title: Incidence risk and aetiology of mammary abnormalities in dry ewes in 10 flocks in southern Greece.
abstract: In a field investigation of 10 flocks in Southern Greece, 3367 dairy ewes were examined twice, in order to estimate the incidence risk and the aetiology of mammary abnormalities during the dry-period. Abnormal secretion, lumps, nodules, diffuse hardness, abscesses and cysts were the abnormalities detected. The cumulative incidence of mammary abnormalities during the dry-period was 5.1% (95% confidence interval: 4.4-5.8%); 47% of the cases detected developed during the first three weeks after cessation of lactation. Despite variation in the flock size, there was no between-flock variation in the risk of a ewe developing mammary abnormalities. Staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative isolates) were the most frequently isolated bacteria from mammary samples; Actinomyces pyogenes, Clostridium perfringens, streptococci and Escherichia coli were also isolated. Resistance was encountered among the staphylococcal isolates.
authors.affiliation: University of Thessaloniki, Veterinary Faculty, Macedonia, Greece.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saratsis
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leontides
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tzora
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alexopoulos
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fthenakis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008413:Mastitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012756:Sheep / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*