**4.4 Mastitis**

Mammary gland, unlike the urogenital tract, is located outside the body and therefore easily accessible by hand. Thus, the diagnosis of mastitis can be done by palpation of the mammary gland. Mammary glands may appear swollen, firm, and warm [35]. In addition, skin color may be changed.

Other rapid mastitis tests as applied to cows are not available for sows. Diagnosis via cell count is not common and data on thresholds are rare [96]. A threshold of >107 cells per mL was proposed [35]. Further, a milk pH of more than 6.7 was reported [96]. If needed, ultrasonography can be used in the diagnosis. Affected mammary glands provide heterogeneous and hyperechoic images [97].
