Mastitis is an infection of the mammary gland.   Symptoms include heat and inflammation of the gland, and an increase in the somatic cell count (SCC) in the milk.  In more severe cases one can observe clots and clumps in the milk. Causes are bacteria, with Coliform and environmental Strep infections tend to be associated with relatively high incidence rates of clinical mastitis.  With goats, relying on SCC values can be misleading.  Due to cell sloughing, goats have higher normal SCC values than dairy cattle – 750,000 can be healthy.

Initially one should determine if there is significant systemic involvement as judged by the animal's attitude, appetite, and the presence of fever. In cases where the mastitis appears to be localized to the udder one may proceed with treatment by first "milking out" the affected gland. Occasionally this process can be aided with an injection of 2 IU oxytocin (avoid use of oxytocin if the animal is in the second half of gestation) followed by infusion of the affected gland with a commercially prepared intramammary infusion product. One half of the contents of a tube of bovine mastitis medication are sufficient. Systemic treatment is optional.