Question about Spur teats?

[Cashs Cowgirl]

I have a little goat with what looks to be a spur teat. This has developed in the last 2-3 months. It comes off the towards the top edge of the teat and is about an inch long. Her normal teat is of course much longer and more developed. She has a smaller 'nub' on the other teat, towards the bottom of the teat, but it doesn't look like anything more than an insect bite.

I've not seen this before (I am a bit newer to goats and so I can't say that I've looked at a ton of goats anyways) and can't find much info on the net about it.

Any idea on how this may affect her milking or nursing kids? Should it be removed-or is it removable (by a vet of course)- or is it normally left alone?

Thanks!

[holleegee]

Originally Posted by Cashs Cowgirl

I have a little goat with what looks to be a spur teat. This has developed in the last 2-3 months. It comes off the towards the top edge of the teat and is about an inch long. Her normal teat is of course much longer and more developed. She has a smaller 'nub' on the other teat, towards the bottom of the teat, but it doesn't look like anything more than an insect bite.

I've not seen this before (I am a bit newer to goats and so I can't say that I've looked at a ton of goats anyways) and can't find much info on the net about it.

Any idea on how this may affect her milking or nursing kids? Should it be removed-or is it removable (by a vet of course)- or is it normally left alone?

Thanks!

According to "Dairy Goats for Pleasure and Profit" by Harvey Considine spur teats can be removed by the vet with corrective surgery. (I just bought this book....it is really good!)

[Gailann Schrader]

Yes, they can be removed.

BUT MAKE SURE THAT SPUR ISN'T THE PRIMARY BEFORE REMOVING.

I've hear people say they had a secondary teat removed? Yeah. Removed the MILKING side... And then that side no longer had an outlet. So, ruined the doe.

Also, if you are just using her at home? Who cares? Just learn to direct both teats into the bucket.

Remember that double teats are a FAULT and will be in the genetics of that doe ad naseum through the babies...

[Gailann Schrader]

Oh. Nursing kids will adapt, btw.

[Cashs Cowgirl]

Thank Gailann. I'm not breeding for showing at all and these were bought just for home milking. I just wasn't sure how this would affect her. The other's seem to be just fine.

Obviously I don't have much to worry about and so I'll leave Mother Nature alone, LOL!

It just makes her more 'special' than she already is !

[Cashs Cowgirl]

Hollegee, I don't have that book, but I've read bits and pieces of it when I checked it out at the library.

Thanks for replying!

[Alice In TX/MO]

Our mini has one on each teat. No problems for baby or milking.