Good news, bad news

[TRAILRIDER]

Many of you saw the pics I posted of Dolly's triplets born 2-4-13. Well they are doing wonderful! Fat and sassy and driving her nuts : )

But I was concerned that she might be getting mastitis. The kids nursed both sides, and nursed alot. But one side was always bigger and very firm feeling, firm like your calf muscle but not hard. Not hot or red either. I milk her twice a day and massage her udder for about 10 mins twice a day too, just to keep her comfy. She does appreciate it. The milk is lovely, no clumps or flakes or off color. So I called our vet this AM. She specializes in goats and has 30+ yrs exp so I trust her completely. She thinks that Dolly has a really poor udder : (
That because its not attached well and hangs heavy (she never dries up) that she probably has scar tissue and will always have some issues (may even be prone to mastitis in the future.) But not to worry as long as the milk looks good, just keep making her comfy. Here's a couple of pics. Interested in your opinions of this udder.

and here's my girl. I love this goat : )
She's a good mom and a great friend, so she doesn't have to be perfect.

[mammabooh]

Awww...sorry to hear about your girl, but happy to hear that you love her anyway!

[TRAILRIDER]

Yes, those feet show me she's still deficient in selenium. I'll wait and give her more soon.
Thanks mamabooh! I learned to milk with this goat, she is so patient and sweet.

Doesn't she lookgreat for having 3 week old triplets on her?

[mammabooh]

She certainly does!

[Alice In TX/MO]

She is LOVELY. I can forgive the udder attachments, too.

It's worth it to send in milk samples for testing just to relieve your worries about mastitis.

Has she been tested for CAE?

[fadedpolaris]

She's very pretty~

As long as you love her, and she's not suffering any ill effects, I think she'll be just fine.

[bknthesdle]

Originally Posted by TRAILRIDER

Yes, those feet show me she's still deficient in selenium. I'll wait and give her more soon.
Thanks mamabooh! I learned to milk with this goat, she is so patient and sweet.

Doesn't she lookgreat for having 3 week old triplets on her?

What specifically about her feet tells you she is selenium deficient? (I'm just curious?)

[GoatJunkie]

She's beautiful! A sweet natured goat is a close to heaven as any of us will get on this side!

Perfection and value are in the eyes of the beholder.

[TRAILRIDER]

bknthesdle, she gets very back on her pasterns, mostly in the back. After some selenium she stands up on her toes again. Around here (KY) we have to give new borns selenium at birth usually.
My vet told me to give her 5ccs of LA200 per 100# sub Q if I feel heat or see any change in the milk. I'm going to have some on hand just in case. And I'm going to worm her today, although she doesn't look wormy to me.

[LoneStrChic23]

If she were mine, I'd have a milk sample sent in and have them run a sensitivity test.

Could be subclinical mastitis and it's usually just a lip sided udder. When I bought Star, her udder was lop-sided. Owner did a CMT and it didn't gel so she assumed all was fine.... Milk was normal, no heat, no clumps, no pain.... Just one side a bit meatier. She had subclinical mastitis... This year, she's much more even and less meaty. Test her, and get a sensitivity run just in case she does have mastitis.... The sensitivity test will tell you what to treat it with.

[dozedotz]

What a wonderful girl she is! If she were mine, after all the years of service she has given, I would have her tested just so you know what to do from here for her. She is obviously worth it! No goat is perfect, but she comes pretty close to it for you.