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     Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 1593 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 71.111.215.105  Rating: N/A |
That's good news! Goat keeping definitely has its learning curve, LOL! Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Jaye Maxfield New member Username: driftless Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 69.128.212.19 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Maggie. I'm definitely going to bank colostrum. I've never seen directions for banking colostrum before so thanks for that especially. As for the "breeder" I shouldn't say too much in case he's on here. Part of the problem was that we didn't know enough going in. Let's just say I'm pretty sure I won't buy goats from him again. Their were a number of other problems besides letting them run with a bunch of bucks. Their hoof condition was terrible, among other things! By the way, it seems that the doe I was asking about is fine, so far. Her udder seems to be filling. Thanks for the help. Jaye | ||
| Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 1583 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 71.111.215.105 Rating: |
Yes CAE is as much of a problem in meat goats as in any goats. Depends on her herd of origin and how careful that owner was about disease control. CL is a fairly serious problem in many meat herds, especially those that concentrate more on market animals that producing good breeding stock. CAE is pretty much the same, lots of meat producers don't really care, but its not as nasty looking and doesn't affect carcass quality so much. I don't know how I would feel about a breeder that just runs a bunch of bucks with his does, breeding willy nilly, but I don't know all the details of that breeder's situation.... A breeder should ALWAYS bank colostrum if saving kids is important (it isn't all that important to all breeders, some downright refuse to bottle raise kids). After kids have nursed about 8 hours or so, milk a cup or 2 of the remaining colostrum out and freeze it. I freeze it in 20 to 60 cc syringes but lots of people freez it in ziplocs or ice cube trays to have small portions ready to use. When thawing use very warm water, not your microwave. Microwaving colostrum turns it into a gel and destroys the antibodies. This makes it easy to thaw and give to a kid through a stomach feeding tube. Purchase a feeding tube from Valley Vet or Jeffers Livestock. Ther are good instructions on tube feeding on the Goatworld articles page or on my website at http://www.maggidans.com/FYI.htm Tube feeding is much safer and less traumatic than trying to start a fussy kid on a bottle with luke warm colostrum or dribbling it into their mouth with a syringe. Not to be pushing a personal product or anything but I also make and market a hand milking device called the Maggidan's Milker. Its also on my website, click on the Milker page. Lots of does do not like to be touched on the udder, if you are touching very gently it tickles like crazy! The udder will feel quite warm actually, it has less hair and the body temp of a goat is quite a bit higher than ours (102 to 103 is about normal). Lots of meat does have terrible udders. It could very well be that the side in question is the actual working side, the one she permits kids to nurse from and therefore more broken down. Does that tend to nurse from one side only get very lopsided misshapen udders and teats. Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Jaye Maxfield New member Username: driftless Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 69.128.212.243 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Maggie! I'm glad to hear that it might not be anything to worry about. She was in a mixed herd with 3 bucks until we bought her in October. She appears pregnant but I don't have a good way to know when she is due. I've just been monitoring their udders and tail ligaments. If I had to guess, I'd say she's in her final month of pregnancy. The udder is warm but not hot and naturally pink but not red. She lets me gently touch it so I think it's possibly sore but not terribly so. The same side that contains the lumps has a larger, more abnormal looking teat (sausage-like). I have about 3 goats that I expect to kid before the doe in question. Maybe I should try taking a little colostrom from each one, just in case? I've made a mental note about the CL and CAE tests. Is CAE much of a problem in meat goats? Jaye | ||
| Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 1582 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 71.111.215.105 Rating: N/A |
Any idea how far along she is? When were they separated from the buck? Some does are lumpy, just like some women. If the udder is only lumpy, not hot, red or sore, if the doe is otherwise healthy with no fever don't worry about it! She could have a congested udder (this really shows when they are very close to kidding and just after), which should get better when she is nursing. If you are concerned now about letting her kids nurse you will need to have colostrum from another doe on hand. The colostrum substitutes do not have antibodies in them in any apreciable amount. You don't really have time to try to find colostrum once the kids are born, they need it within 30 minutes to 6 hours of birth. Kids need colostrum to survive. As a fair substitute Hoegger Supply sells Goat Serum. Its not cheap and it is not specific to the germs from your herd but it is likely to only really good substitute for real goat colostrum fresh or frozen from your own does. Don't make any decisions until you see how she does after she kids. Lots of does have had mastitis or a congested udder in the past, gotten over it and go on to be fine milkers and/or raise kids. You may want to check on her CL and her CAE status, both of which can cause hard udder or abscesses in the udder. Both of these right now are a wait and see until after she kids or at least until she shows some other sign of having a problem. Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Jaye Maxfield New member Username: driftless Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 69.128.212.243 Rating: N/A |
Hi All. I'm new to the site and glad to be here! This fall we bought about a dozen pregnant (at least exposed)does. They've been doing pretty well and we have 3 new kids so far. The problem is that one of the does has a lumpy udder and as she gets farther along in the pregnancy, it seems that the lump(s) are swelling. First, is this a sign that she has had mastitis in the past? Whatever the problem turns out to be, are there any preventive tactics we should take as she gets closer to kidding? She's healthy in all other ways. Finally should we let the kids nurse or will it aggravate the problem? I'm assuming this means she shouldn't be bred again. She is one of our favorites so I don't want to do anything that might put her in harms way. Thanks for any advice. Jaye |
