Prognostic indicators for survival in goats treated for toxic mastitis: A retrospective study

The objective of this study was to retrospectively assess medical records of goats presented to the J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital at Auburn University (Alabama, USA) for evaluation and treatment of toxic or gangrenous mastitis, and to identify prognostic indicators for survival to hospital discharge.

Medical records of 35 postpartum female goats treated for toxic or gangrenous mastitis from December 2012 to January 2025 were analyzed. The diagnosis was based on mastitic changes to the mammary gland and milk, accompanied by systemic compromise. Following comparisons between discharged and non-discharged goats, continuous and categorical variables were included in univariate and multivariate regression models to evaluate their associations with the outcome.

Of the study animals, 74% (26/35) survived to hospital discharge and the remaining 26% (9/35) died or were euthanized. Odds of hospital discharge increased [odds ratio (OR): 2.98; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44 to 7.97] for each 1°C increase in rectal temperature at admission (P = 0.002). However, odds of hospital discharge increased (OR: 11.21; 95% CI: 1.31 to 231.54) for each 1 g/dL increase in serum globulin concentration at admission (P = 0.02). For each additional day of hospitalization, goats treated for toxic mastitis were 2.35× more likely to be discharged from the hospital (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.43 to 2.89; P < 0.01). Intramammary antibiotic (IMA) therapy increased the likelihood of hospital discharge 5.86× (95% CI: 1.28 to 31.5) compared to no IMA therapy (P = 0.02).

Goats treated for toxic mastitis at the J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital had a favorable prognosis for survival and discharge from the hospital. Hospitalization to ensure sufficient supportive care, as well as treatment with IMA, may improve survival in select cases.