[bplegs]

I apologise for my newness to goat keeping but these are my first two (yes, been bitten by the goat bug, I adore them).


I have two goats, a male and female. We got them last June and we have had no problems with them at all. We move them between two dedicated small paddocks and they have been grand. Today our female is not eating she is sitting in the shelter and moves occasionally but not eating. She seems fine in herself and allows you to approach. OH checked her udders, they seem swollen and white "discharge". Could she be pregnant?
O

She shouldn't be as the male has been castrated. Confused. If she doesn't rally tomorrow I am thinking about getting the vet in. What would you do? Sorry, but I am new to keeping goats. Just want her to be well.

[mojocafa]

If your male was intact he would smell,  strongly!

Your description does sound like she may be in kid, when did you get them?

Is the discharge coming from her udder?

[bplegs]

Hallo!


Thank you for replying.


Yes  the white discharge is from her udder and she doesn't seem to be in pain.


We got them  actually early July and they haven't been in contact with any other goat or livestock.


Neither OH or I think the male smells so he cannot really be intact.


At worst she's ill which would be gutting, at best she is pregnant but the dates seem a little out... ?

[harmony]

Does the white discharge look like milk? Has she been putting weight on? I don't think you could fail to miss the smell if your billy was intact and she has been with you long enough to rule out that she was pregnant when you got her.


Are her udders hot or hard? Is the discharge more like curdled milk? Does it smell? She may have an infection, which is why she is also off her food.


I would ring your vet first thing ion the morning.

[bplegs]

Hallo again,


The udders were not hot and OH has just said it is white and watery.


Will be calling the vet first thing.


Thank you.

[Lesley Silvester]

Do you know much about her? Has she kidded in the past and how old is she? I'm just wondering if she could be a maiden milker (one who produces milk without having had a kid first).


And the only silly question on here is the one you don't ask, so never worry about asking. We all like to air our knowledge and we can all learn from answers.

[bplegs]

Morning,


Thank you for your reply. She is 4 years old, never kidded as far as I am aware. Never even heard of a maiden miller so thank you!


Will check her first light and call the vet!


I appreciate the responses. Thank you.

[devonlady]

Maiden milkers are not uncommon, it's like a bitch having a phantom pregnancy (but more useful) Keep milking her and she may well milk for ages. You could try tempting her appetite with sliced apples, digestive biscuits and such dainties.

[bplegs]

Thank you all so much.


I am sorry to say that we lost her in the past hour. Vet still enroute as I want her to check our remaining boy who I have moved to the goats back up paddock.


i am gutted.

[cans]

 

[harmony]

Really sorry to hear that

[Anke]

If you feel something is wrong with your goat, especially if she is not eating and lying down/not moving about, you have to call a vet straight away. Seeing how she is the next day is usually not good enough.

[bplegs]

Anke,


With all due respect, she was moving but she was sitting about a bit more. This is a tough time for us. I don't really need a guilt trip. The vet was at least kind enough to say that even if we had called them yesterday, as our girl seemed to be in good order she didn't think it would have made much difference.


She also commented that due to the mild winter the gut worms were not dying off as they should. So
although up to date with jabs and worming we have agreed to do another round for our boy who she is more than happy with.


We aren't farmers but we do care and monitor for our livestock.


I don't mean to sound offish, but hindsight is a marvellous place to be.

[harmony]

Sounds like your vet has been helpful. You are right, hindsight is a wonderful thing and so is experience. Unfortunately whilst gaining experience the learning curve can be steep in the beginning and painful.


Hope you are not put off keeping goats or coming on the forum. Replies are generally well meant and there is a wealth of knowledge on here about all sorts.


There is also a marketplace as you will now need to get your single goat some company.

[bplegs]

Hallo Harmony,


I know Anke meant well, it is that the loss of our goat is still raw.


I have already been onto the local goat club to see if I can find a nice (or even better two) goats to keep our billy company. He is so lonely I feel worse


Thanks to all. Genuinely appreciate your advice, no matter how hard it is to hear at the moment.


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