Mastitis....would you take this goat?

6e · #1 01/08/11, 07:03 PM

We have a friend of a friend whose moving and is giving away her goats to move them quick before they have to leave. I'm debating whether or not to take them. One of the does, according to the woman, had triplets last spring. One was dead when they found out she had had babies and then another died and then the last one. On top of the 3 dead babies, apparently she got a bad case of mastitis. From what she told me, they gave her antibiotic shots, but were told she could never be milked and couldn't raise babies, but rather the babies would have to be milked and that she would always have mastitis. I've never dealt with mastitis in goats, and so don't know a lot about it. The doe is only 3 years old. So, why would she not be able to ever raise babies? And why would she never be able to be milked?
Would taking on a doe like that be wise? If I did bring her here, would the mastitis be contagious to other goats here...in other words, would I contaminate my soil by bringing her here?
Thanks

Alice In TX/MO · #2 01/08/11, 07:17 PM

Has she been tested for CAE? Does she have an lumps in CL locations? What kind of care has she had other than BAD care for mastitis?

No, I probably would not take her.

6e · #3 01/08/11, 07:24 PM

She does not have CL. I do not know about CAE. She's had good care, and I say that loosely speaking as, from what I gather, they've belonged to people fairly new to goats and they don't know a whole lot, but they gave the best care to the best of their knowledge.

julieq · #4 01/08/11, 10:42 PM

I personally wouldn't take a goat that had a history of mastitis, but I'd be even more worried about CAE.

ozark_jewels · #5 01/08/11, 11:50 PM

Depends. If she had an awesome pedigree and I had lots of extra time to work with a goat that might, or might not work out, I might take her.
As it is, I'm too busy to even consider it, so no.

6e · #6 01/09/11, 08:59 AM

Got the rest of the story last night. Seems she had triplets last spring. The woman didn't even know she was pregnant. (they are very new to goats). One died at birth, but the other two both died when they were 4 months old. Not really sure why. The woman didn't know either. This doe has been dry since last spring then she all of a sudden developed mastitis. Is it normal for a doe to develop mastitis when they're not producing any milk? Apparently they've been through a whole bottle of antibiotic and it hasn't worked. So I wonder if that's what it is.
I decided against getting her just because I don't want to bring any diseases here that might be contagious. Been there, done that, don't want to do it again. But at the same time, that poor woman needs someone to take her that knows more about goats than she does. I've been in a quandary over this all night. I just love it when I lose sleep over the small stuff.

motdaugrnds · #7 01/09/11, 09:20 AM

If I were in your situation, I would realize several things:

1. I would immediately need to have her tested for CAE.
2. I would immediately need to treat her for the mastitis.
3. I would not be expecting to use any of her milk for quite awhile.
4. I would be spending money and time on her that I could be using elsewhere.

Then ask self, is she worth it?

Edited: After reading your later post, I am wondering if that goat's owner even knows what she is talking about. She didn't know the goat was pregnant with "3" kids? (She would certainly have shown enough to know something was going on.) Two of her kids died at "4 months" of age? Something is definately wrong with the goat or the environment; and judging from what you've said, I am thinking it is the environment more than the goat. Thus, if ... "IF" ... you have a place to keep the goat "away" from your herd until you can be sure she is healthy (and if you want to spend the time/money on this), I would suggest you go ahead and take her.

coso · #8 01/09/11, 09:22 AM

I wouldn't borrow trouble.

6e · #9 01/09/11, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motdaugrnds

If I were in your situation, I would realize several things:

1. I would immediately need to have her tested for CAE.
2. I would immediately need to treat her for the mastitis.
3. I would not be expecting to use any of her milk for quite awhile.
4. I would be spending money and time on her that I could be using elsewhere.

Then ask self, is she worth it?

Yeah, I've thought of those things and more. I have a hard time thinking with my head rather than my heart at times. Sigh.

Backfourty,MI. · #10 01/09/11, 11:57 AM

I personally would not take the risk & bring her to my farm but then you may be able to do her some good. Then again you could end up spending alot of time & money on her to find out she is no good to anyone.
It is too bad though they can't figure out what's wrong with her. Those folks probly should have her put down rather than pass on her troubles to someone else. I hope that doesn't sound to harsh because I don't mean it to be but you have other animals to consider & keep healthy too.

animalfarmer · #11 01/09/11, 12:26 PM

I feel badly for this women,however,folks frequently make very difficult things that should quite frankly have been or need to be resolved with a simple properly applied razor sharp knife.
I know that that sounds harsh or cruel to some but if this women had simply slaughtered this doe when treatment for the mastitis had failed she would not now be causing this difficulty and concern for 6e.
If that doe were here,once we learned that she had mastitis that we could not treat simply and effectively,we would have hung her in the cooler.
6e I don't know your situation but I would take a good look at the animal and see if she is, aside from the mastitis, healthy.
My thought being that someone most likely will and probably for the does sake should slaughter her. Why not you?
A 3 year old doe in good flesh should produce some nice cuts. We slaughter 3 and 4 year old does here all the time.
That's just my $.02. Tell us what she decides to do with her.
Best of luck.