| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Dec 20 2012 : 10:42:20 AM
First a little history on this doe.I have a yearling doe that will be 2 years old in March. She was bred 2 months ago and I think she is pregnant. I bought this doe in Kansas last year as a bottle kid and she comes from a heavy milking line of Nubians.She has had excellent health and no problems until now.
I went to feed this morning and I was trying to get her and her sister up the steps into their stall to eat. They are slow eaters and I don't want my other hoggie goats to steal their food. I gently pushed from her backside to get her going and felt a hot swelling. In the back where a doe would bag up when they are ready to have babies its swollen, hot and lumpy and way up high in the back. The medial line that goes down tha back feels very pronounced. Where her teats are there is nothing no udder devopment at all. They are still wrinkled and have not done anything as far as developing an udder. Doe's that have never had babies before don't have anything until they get close to kidding.
I have had a few cases of mastitis over the years but never had a young dry doe do this. She is super hairy in that area and I didn't know she had a problem. She is eating and acting like nothing is wrong. But is feels so wrong. I can't milk anyting out because there is nothing there.I called the vet and wanted him to check her and he told me would be a waste of his time. I started her on Excenell and rubbed some pepperment udder balm on her. But mind you this is way up high in the back not where her teat are at. I don't know what else to do at this point.
Anyone ever have this happen? I have been in goats 20 years and not had this happen I guess theres a first time for everything. I am clueless to what else to do. I am also afraid her imature udder will be ruined before she ever even has a chance to have babies.I also worry if this does not go away with antibiotic will it take her life. I am so worried for her. I have no experience in this area and the vet is not offering much either.Whats your opinion on this and what course of action would you take??? Thanks so much.
Well I had Bella on Excenel for 5 days today made the fifth. The swelling that was way high up and kinda bumpy has now moved down to the back of her udder and along the sides.Its very firm but its not really hot. She is 9 weeks pregnant and maybe cause she is from a very heavy milking line she is developing and early udder I just don't know.But it sure moved from high under her escutcheon area to now what I think of as her normal udder area and I don't feel the lumps anymore. I have never had a doe do this.
I looked up precocious milker and I wonder if this is what is happening to her. My first time freshners never start making and udder until they are almost 4 months along. So this is new to me. I just hope this is what is going on and not something bad. If she already is doing this at 9 weeks I am almost afraid to see her at 5 months when she delivers.
Well thats where its at right now. I am just glad I don't feel the lumps anymore. I will check her everyday and wait and see what transpires. Hopefully it will be all good for her. Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 24 2012 : 8:13:57 PM
Linda, I bought a doe and her 2 doe kids several years back. I thought one of the kids was a buck and mentioned it to the people and they said that it was a doe kid. She was only about a month old at the time and already had a little udder. They said that happens sometimes when they come from a heavy milker mom. And she was. It went down as she grew up and she had triplets her first time. I sold her after that so don't know how she is now. But I just thought of that when I saw your latest post about your doe. I bet she'll be a great milker. I'm glad she seems better.
Merry Christmas!
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 22 2012 : 07:26:15 AM
I know how it is when it comes to a vet not knowing what to do about goats. I thought I had found a good goat vet but that's changed.
I remember a few years back Sandy had a horrible knot on her nose. I couldn't figure out what it was. It was huge and hot and kind of mushy. So after a few days I tried to sqeeze it and all kinds of stuff came out. I did that for a few days til it was all gone. I think someone said she probably had gotten pricked with some stiff hay and it had gotten infected. Seems like it happened again on another goat too.
And another time one of my really heavy milkers had gotten head butted in the udder by Abby and she developed mastitis. It was pretty bad. But finally got her all cleared up.
So maybe your doe got head butted in the read. Or she got stuck by something. This is probably one of those times when you'll really never know what happened. ANother learning experience we all have. But it sounds like she'll be ok. With all the love and meds you give your goats, she'll be ok. Like Sherrye always says. we learn as we go. And most of the time, it's just a guessing game. And something works. We have to be our own vets around here.
Have a great day and Merry Christmas to all!
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
| YakLady |
Posted - Dec 21 2012 : 3:56:15 PM
I'm glad something is changing at least... it's something!
Sorry your weather's nuts! We had a nice day today, but I was in bed resting up to fight off whatever bug found me this week. I think I have it well-licked now :)
When I had goats, I didn't use a vet because they ticked me off so bad. Vet school has no specific goat-focused class/requirements, and most vets are fairly useless when it comes to goats. I went to U for animal science as a pre-vet major, and I worked in a few vet hospitals, so I just order all my own meds online and treat my own animals. If I ever need one, I have a local livestock vet on call. I just got tired of the "Oh uh... I don't know. That'll be $50." thing. Grr! Don't like bad Vets!
~Hen 4316~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana.
Starting a family and raising up a small ranch using natural resources.
www.mydoterra.com/thurman |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Dec 21 2012 : 2:38:51 PM
I just came in from feeding.......the winds are gusting around 50 mph. and the wind chill is heading down to the single digets. We were 60 yesterday and raining to beat the band.... this weather is crazy. I checked on Bella's udder and now the swelling has dropped down more towards the back of the udder. Its not as high as it was and does not seem quite as hot as it did. I think there maybe some progress here. She has had 2 days of meds. so who knows maybe she will get better.
Thanks Natalie for understanding. Well I have hubby's support and my farmgirls. I am thankful for that.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| YakLady |
Posted - Dec 21 2012 : 2:25:49 PM
I understand, Linda. I'm sorry you have to deal with this on your own :(
I hope she responds soon to the treatment!
~Hen 4316~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana.
Starting a family and raising up a small ranch using natural resources.
www.mydoterra.com/thurman |
| .Linz. |
Posted - Dec 21 2012 : 12:48:06 PM
Can you get a picture of it?
"Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds." - Prov. 27:23 |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Dec 21 2012 : 10:52:08 AM
No there is not another vet close to me. I would have to travel several hours to go to ohio state. The other vets in my area only see small animals only. The other one doesn't want to treat sheep or goats. My vet said since there is no fluid to culture and she has never had a baby before he doesn't see the sense of seeing her and told me to start her on meds cause thats what he would do.If she does not respond in a few days I will go to him and switch to a different antibiotic.I have her on excenel right now.
I can't infuse her teat because they have not developed yet and she has not made an udder yet.No babies have nursed from her I don't have any here that could.So somehow she has developed a problem and I am doing the best I can for her. I am also using a peppermint udder salve and mastoblast. Thanks for all your conerns help. Thats about all I know to do at this point. Keeping my fingers crossed for her.
I told my husband sometimes I want to move because good vets and doctors are not around here. I live in a very poor county and they just don't exists. If you want a good doctor or vet you travel at least one hour or more. There are some vets in other counties but most won't take outside clients they are already to busy. Quite a few people call me when they have problems with deliveries and want me to help them because they can't get a vet to the farm. Its very frustrating.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| YakLady |
Posted - Dec 20 2012 : 8:44:52 PM
I don't know what to tell you other than look for a new Vet. It doesn't take more than 10 minutes for a Vet to look at a specific issue and reassure the owner.
I hope you figure out what's going on soon!
~Hen 4316~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana.
Starting a family and raising up a small ranch using natural resources.
www.mydoterra.com/thurman |
| crittergranny |
Posted - Dec 20 2012 : 8:11:47 PM
That is just so odd to me that the vet is saying that. It sounds like he wont want to be much help even if you bring her. Is there another vet in your area that would be more respectful?
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Dec 20 2012 : 11:49:39 AM
Okay I found my goat anatomony book so I can tell you exactly where its at.
Its under the escutcheon area and where the medial suspensory ligament is. So thats up high in the back of the udder right under their girly parts. I should have looked at my book to better describe the area. I see no bites or injuries of any kind. If she doesn't not respond to the meds I am going to insist that the vet let me bring her up so he can feel the area and tell me what he thinks. He thinks me bringing her in will be a waste of his time and mine. I think he might be able to give me more of a sense of what I am dealing with. I am so darn frustrated I am at my witts end. I want to do whats right for her. I have her on meds. and will have to see what the next 48 hours produces.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| crittergranny |
Posted - Dec 20 2012 : 11:34:58 AM
Sometimes even when a doe is dry a germ can get in the bag and create mastitis. It usually happens from another doe's kid nursing on her. I have to wonder what the vet is thinking. If it is mastitis it should be treated by putting antibiotics into the orafice of the teat with a special device and medication just for this. It doesnt cause pain to do it so dont worry about that. If it is mastitis that side of the teat might shut down after she is better but she will give the same amount of milk just all from one side. It sort of sounds like an abscess too but maybe not if it is lumpy. Also did she get bit by a spider or something? I hope she gets better Linda :)
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Dec 20 2012 : 11:15:29 AM
No its not an absess its an area about the size of half a grapefuit and its lumpy in deep and very warm.Its not mushy but like a swollen area with lumps in it. Kinda firm I guess.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 20 2012 : 11:03:24 AM
Could it be an abcess then? Is it hard or mushy?
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Dec 20 2012 : 10:58:47 AM
Kristin its going up the back not on the back. If you follow where the udder and the teats are and go up the back toward their butt side. So I guess it is below the Hoochie area but not the bottom of the udder whats in the middle. Am I making sense here.Even if I took a picture you couldn't see anything back there she is so dark and hairy.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 20 2012 : 10:50:11 AM
Oh my goodness, Linda. I have no idea what you are dealing with there. I can't picture what you're talking about really. Is it in the place where her udder is? You said it was on the back though. Or up on the back. If you could post a picture that would be helpful. And those darn vets. What good are they? I have one vet that kind of knows what he's talking about. But he wants me to do it all. I guess we probably do know more about goats than they will ever. And I know what you mean. I have been going through some things with my goats and sheep that are new. I hardly ever see the same thing twice.
I hope there is someone else who can help you. I'll check back.
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
