Author Topic: Goats and Udder Things (Read 7251 times)

littlekatewell · « **on:** April 16, 2009, 10:56:11 am »

OK this is my first actual query having registered yesterday. Our GG has twins (1 month old). We initially had some trouble with one of her udders as the kids were not drinking from it and it got very large before we realised. We are now getting about 1L of milk from her each morning but one udder is very different to the other. It feels much larger and although after milking her it becomes more flacid there is still some swelling(?) in the upper area of the udder. Then last week I noticed very small amounts of what I can only assume is blood in her milk. It is only noticible once the milk has settled in the fridge and when you get to the bottom of the jug there is just a small streak or two. It may have been there since the beginning and just didn't notice. Other than that there are no signs of blood or clots when we strip out and check the milk. She seems healthy in every other respect (perhaps a little thin) but has a good appetite. Does anyone know if there is anything we should do? Also the swollen udder definately produces more milk so it may just be a size difference and nothing more. Thanks

MrRee · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2009, 08:40:04 pm »

Sounds very much like mastitis,but,that's all I can remember from doing 'O' level Agricultural Science at school 22 years ago. I hope someone with more experience (much more) comes along......Ree

doganjo · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2009, 09:26:11 pm »

If it was mastitis wouldn't the milk taste sour?

MrRee · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2009, 09:30:53 pm »

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/DS120 try here.....Ree

ballingall · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2009, 10:25:40 pm »

Blood in the milk generally would signify mastitis, but from what you say it doesn't sound like she has very acute mastitis. Acute mastitis would usually cause clots or little lumps in the milk as well as sometimes blood. It would be an idea to give the vet a call- as Pentre1230 says pencillin or cow tubes (which also have antibiotics in them) would work to clear up mastitis. Are you emptying out that side of her udder? Or are you just taking enough off to make her slack? If she's been kidded a month, and the kids aren't taking the milk that side, then you need to take off all the milk on that side.

Hope she improves!

littlekatewell · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:47:49 am »

Thanks for the replies. We are taking all the milk from both sides and the kids are using both sides as well. As you say if it is mastitis it must be fairly mild as she doesn't mind being milked.....actually she is a very co-operative milker considering it is first time for us and her. In the first week her udder was very swollen and she hated us trying to milk it out but once the pressure was off she was much happier.

The milk has no clots that I can see, tastes and smells fine and the blood is only noticible when it has settled, even then it is very small amount. I think I will get the vet out just to be on the safe side as perhaps if it is a mild infection it is worth treating with some penecillin. Cheers

woollyval · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2009, 07:30:30 pm »

Hello
Do not use cow tubes in a goat unless very large orifices...which most GGs dont have....Goats are quite different to cows....I have tubed lots of cows and used to have a top milking herd of goats.

If you have blood in the milk and its settling at the bottom and the goat has kidded this long its not just 'pink milk' from a newly kidded goat. I is possibly sub clinical mastitis which is very common in goats and often responsible for 'goaty' tasting milk if not cleared up.

I personally would speak to the vet about special antibiotic for mastitis....cannot remember which one it is....rather than using a general antibiotic.

Also try using udder mint or golden udder to rub in after milking.....kids are old enough not to be put off by it

Make sure the whole udder is 'stripped' once every 24 hours.....massage and milk massage and milk until nothing else can be drawn off.

Are you milking gently and correctly for a goat which is a different tecnique than for a cow....are you sure it is not poor milking practice that is causing the problem?

Do ask if you need more help

ballingall · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2009, 10:04:35 pm »

It is perfectly possible to use cow tubes on goats, we have done it many times. Unless the goat has very small orifices, which any first kidder might have.

What did the vet say littlekatewell? Any improvement?

Beth

woollyval · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2009, 11:16:02 pm »

Quote from: ballingall on April 19, 2009, 10:04:35 pm

It is perfectly possible to use cow tubes on goats, we have done it many times. Unless the goat has very small orifices, which any first kidder might have.

Exactly......its the small orifices.....and ggs and first kidders often have them

littlekatewell · « **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2009, 02:19:06 pm »

Hi,

We started giving her Garlic just after my last post. Within a few days the problem had cleared up. We are not noticing any blood in the milk at all now. One of her udders is still much larger than the other though. So it mayhave been a very mild case of mastitis.

Amazing that she actually liked the garlic!

Thanks