Objective of this review paper is the appraisal of predisposing factors for bacterial mastitis in ewes. Factors that predispose ewes to mastitis can be classified into non-animal-related factors (environmental and climatological factors, housing, nutrition, milking practices) and animal-related factors (anatomic, genetic, litter size-ethological factors, number and stage of lactation period, health problems). There are clear management-environment-animal interactions in mastitis development in ewes, which underline its multifactorial nature. Research and studies regarding risk factors are important, in order to develop strategies for their elimination, control or correction. Control measures for bacterial mastitis, which attempt to eliminate predisposing factors for infection, can thus be developed and implemented.
Keywords: ewe; mastitis; predisposing factor; risk factor; sheep.
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