mastitis in non pregnant/nursing mares

[vivienne1]

I am having trouble getting rid of mastitis in my mare. Thought it had gone after a course of drugs but it is back. What brings it on? Grass? Foals nearby? Should I milk her? Or treat her as if she has foaled and restrict water food etc to dry her up? Everyone has different ideas.

 

[Roskilly]

I had a mare who had mastitis twice last year 5 months after her foal had been weaned. I had a course of antibiotics for her both times along with pain killers and had to milk her at first but gradually less over a couple of days.

I think the best thing you can do is to ring your vet and ask for his advise on the best course of action.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I know of a mare that developed bad mastitis after her unweaned foal died in tragic circumstances. Be careful as the vets warned that untreated mastitis can kill a mare. Ideally this mare should have been gently milked but she wouldn't let anyone near enough because she was in so much pain. So she was put on two consecutive treatments of antibiotics (1st didn't clear it fully) and tons of tlc and she slowly recovered. The reason she developed mastitis was clearly because of the sudden cessation of her foal at foot suckling. It is likely that your mare hadn't fully recovered when the medication was stopped as mastitis can drag on for some time. The vets said that cutting down on the calorie value of her feed would also help but don't whatever you do restrict her access to water.

 

[vivienne1]

Thankyou .Vet coming out today to see her again. Taking sample of milk so can use the right antibiotic to treat her. ps wont let anyone restrict her water!