My four year old maiden Hanoverian mare’s udder is hard and swollen. About a year ago I noticed a small hard spot, now it seems to have gradually expanded to her whole udder.
I asked my field vet to take a look and give his opinion and he dismissed it as nothing to worry about. He said it was not mastitis but then I am not really sure what that term means. The swelling/hardness has steadily progressed and I am worried. My mare seems otherwise healthy.
I had a mare develop mastitis. She wasn’t a maiden, but hadn’t had a foal for two years. Her udder was hard, hot and swollen and painful. My vet was very surprised that she did indeed have mastitis, as it is not common. It was treated with antibiotics, and milking the pus.
My maiden mare has a very similar situation. Her left udder would always become hard and swollen if she was stalled for a long time (i.e. bad weather for a day or two) and would gradually go away once she had normal turnout and exercise. Ive had vets look at it before, as its been like this for years. They too always dismissed it as a version of stocking up. A few weeks ago it became hugely swollen, swelling to her mid belly and up to her stifle, with a fever and very sore to the touch. The vet treated it as mastitis, again surprised that a maiden mare would have it. The fever and swelling went down after antibiotics, but its now back to the previous state, swelling up when she’s stalled or not exercised, going down with turnout and exercise and always her left udder, never the right.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
