Need help- udder issue

IndyGardenGal · #1 03/21/11, 03:56 PM

Our alpine freshened yesterday, and the kids have been nursing off of her, passing their dark tarry poop, etc. When we put her up on the milk stand, her udder is congested, especially on one side. So I mixed up some peppermint oil into bag balm and massaged her udder. We noticed though that it looks like she has broken blood vessels in her teats, and the side that's not as congested the milk comes out pink. We can only get a few squirts from either side.

Her udder didn't seem exceptionally warm, but maybe I'm wrong.

Are her kids causing blood vessels in her teats to break causing blood in the milk. I'm guessing they favor the side that's not congested a bit more.

I'm just worried, if we can't get milk (maybe she's holding up on us), how can we be sure the kids are getting enough colustrum.

Good grief, I'm worried about her. Please help!

IndyGardenGal · #2 03/21/11, 04:00 PM

Also, when we first start to try milking, her teats feel crunchy, and it goes away after we have pressed on them.

LoneStrChic23 · #3 03/21/11, 05:23 PM

I was told to feed raspberry leaves (bought capsules from the health food store), vitamin c and do warm compresse/massage. I mixed a bit of peppermint oil with coconut oil, massaged on and held the warm compress on top of it.

I personally wouldn't use Bag Balm..... I was told by a knowledgeable goat person to avoid petroleum based products as they can trap harmful bacteria between it and the udder and provide a warm growing place for it.

Is she a FF? Perhaps sending off a sample for mastitis wouldn't hurt.... I'm sending one off for my doe on Monday.

Not sure about the crunchy feel though....... hopefully you'll get more input soon.

CaliannG · #4 03/21/11, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneStrChic23

I personally wouldn't use Bag Balm..... I was told by a knowledgeable goat person to avoid petroleum based products as they can trap harmful bacteria between it and the udder and provide a warm growing place for it.

Do WHAT? ~laughs merrily~ That is the silliest piece of old-wive's-tale I have ever heard!

Petroleum Jelly provides an "air barrier" which suffocates bacteria...being as most bacteria that cause infection in mammals are aerobic. At WORST, petroleum based products are neutral, they neither promote nor discourage bacterial growth. At best, the prevent the growth of certain kinds of bacteria.

Realize that petroleum-based products are everywhere. Neosporin? Petroleum based. Anti-staph? Petroleum based. Go into animal health, Wound-Care +? Petroleum based. Etc., etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseum.

In other words, nearly all of the stuff that is marketed for bumps, scratches, owies and other wounds where bacteria is a bad, bad, bad thing are petroleum based.

Sorry, whomever told you that need to do just a wee bit of scientific research.

**************

IndyGardenGal.... your doe is just fresh. If the babies are bumping a lot, or if she is an FF, pink in the milk is not unexpected. The big thing is if the babies favor one side over the other. DO NOT allow the udder to get over-full. Milk sides that look engorged when you have to and save it as colostrum in your freezer, bottle feed it to babies, or whatever...but don't let the udder get engorged.

Warm compresses, massages, and calm surroundings can help. Is her udder congested or is she not letting down at all? Oxytocin can help if the problem is letting down. Other folks will have other ideas.

IndyGardenGal · #5 03/21/11, 06:42 PM

I'm going to call the vet tomorrow and see if I can get some oxytocin to help. The kids are bumping her a lot. I think it's a combination of not wanting to let down her milk and being congested. I can get some squirts of milk out, but nothing other than that. The kids seem to be okay, and don't want anything to do with a bottle.

LoneStrChic23 · #6 03/21/11, 07:15 PM

Hey I didn't say it was a fact....just passed on something that was told to me

lol

But, I have found in my hairless dogs, petroleum based products make skin issues worse (not saying its because bacteria grows under it, just know they are something I avoid in their skin care products) so after hearing the tidbit from this goat person, I decided not to buy any heavy petroleum based stuff just in case. So far, I'm loving my coconut oil for mixing peppermint oil in and for moisture on Tootsie after my udder wash dried her udder out quite a bit. I only use organic, virgin coconut oil and LOVE, LOVE it.

Anywho, good to know that others use petroleum based udder products with no issue....handy to know in case I ever think I may need one of those products

Indy- I hope things improve for your doe. Sabrina's babies are 9 days old and get udder is just now starting to get soft.....Hopefull your just dealing with congestion that will clear up soon...

Don't ya just love how these goats love to make us crazy with worry?

CaliannG · #7 03/21/11, 07:16 PM

See if you can kinda help them to the congested side. The kids are the best thing to release that engorgement and she will let down better for them.

If she is shying away from that side, butting them away when they try for that teat, it could be that that side of the udder is really tender, and if you can just get a few squirts out, she'll let them nurse.

~wry smile~ I have found that when one side is engorged, the doe will often butt the kids away from that side...even though them nursing will help. It's because while them nursing will help and make her feel better, them bumping HURTS! Can't say as I can blame her.

Edited to add: Since Crystal and I were posting at the same time-- have a care with using some products such as SOME coconut butter or SOME cocoa butter. In the natural state, both contain sugars...and SOME manufacturers do not refine all the sugars out of it. Sugars will cause yeast to grow and can lead to skin problems...or even systemic problems.

I also kinda stay away from coconut butter and cocoa butter because EVERYTHING on this place, chickens, dogs, cats, goats, guinea hens, love to EAT the stuff. I am having visions of my poor goats trying to outrun my cat, Pepper, because the depravities she will sink to for bacon are only outdone by the depravities she will sink to for coconut butter. She would certainly take up goat chasing for it.

IndyGardenGal · #8 03/21/11, 07:35 PM

Coconut oil is great for a lot of things. We use it on my kids that have excema, for diaper rash (safe to use with cloth diapers), and as regular lotion. Never thought to use it with the goaties.

I think she'll let the kids nurse that side. I'm goinig to go back out there again soon and try again after the baby falls asleep.

IndyGardenGal · #9 03/21/11, 07:51 PM

Also, can you give Oxytocin sub-Q or does it have to be IM?

CaliannG · #10 03/21/11, 07:54 PM

It's IM.

E.T.A. I use 0.5 ml dose for let down in standards. I haven't used it on anything smaller, but would probably go with .25 ml or less for Minis and NDs.

FunnyRiverFarm · #11 03/21/11, 10:03 PM

Just keep up with the massage, peppermint oil, vitamin c, etc. Kids don't eat a lot at once during the first few days--they take small meals frequently... so even though it doesn't seem like much milk is there they are probably getting enough, in spite of the swelling, due to their feeding habits. This should start to clear up in a few days. In the mean time make sure the kids are active and feel their bellies for fullness periodically.

Oh, and the "crispiness" you feel in her teats is called crepitus. It is caused by air getting into the teats and is harmless in this case

Cheribelle · #12 03/22/11, 06:54 AM

Do make sure they suck both sides. My girl nursed a single last year and is totally lop-sided. I am milking her this year, hoping it will even out, but not sure yet.