Guide to udder health for dairy goats

Providing guidance for veterinarians and producers in improving milk quality

Abstract

An udder health guide developed for dairy goats provides guidance to producers, veterinarians, and dairy support personnel in how to control mastitis and maintain milk quality. It is divided into 8 sections that cover normal anatomy and physiology, the causes of mastitis and how to detect it, best practices for milking management, maintenance of milking equipment, and troubleshooting poor milk quality. Other sections cover treatment and control of mastitis, monitoring udder health, and health management of the dairy doe. More research is needed in some areas, although there is sufficient information available to provide a high quality udder health program to this dairy sector.