Lump in udder

[oaksandiron]

As a reminder, I am a newbie goat keeper.

I bought an ND doe in milk about a month ago, she was my first goat to milk and learn on. I probably was not milking her out all the way at first, but I am confident that I am now. (Hand milking) She is a 2 y.o. FF.

I noticed yesterday that her udder halves did not feel the same, with an assymetrical lump in her left half very near the top. It is does not seem to bother her for me to milk or touch it, and she has no other signs of mastitis like off-feed, red udder, etc. She was really engorged this morning, and I had a hard time getting her milk going on that side.

I have not done a milk test, although I am going to get and do one today.

Could this be subclinical mastitis? If a milk test comes back positive, what is the best way to treat her? I have read both to use probiotics soley, and to use antibiotics.

Or will it clear on its own? Should I be dumping the milk?

P.S., she came into heat and was exposed to the buck about a week ago.
*edited for clarification*

 

[Mini Horses]

Have you tasted milk from that side since discovery? If off taste, milk it out and toss or give to chickens. Not necessarily mastitis...swollen lymph or injury could cause but, yes check. Usually udder will be sore, hot, touchy. Garlic, ACV are helpful, add honey. Lemongrass oil, or a menthol oil on udder at spot will help. Vicks vapo rub if you have. TSC usually carries the little blotters to drop milk on. DO keep her milked out. If it shows as mastitis, penicillin helps....other antibiotics but, you know the no OTC thing now.

Let us know. . Hope it's something else. By the way, all above will help "other" issues...bug bite, etc.

 

[Alaskan]

X2 on the above post.

And the thing, like already said... it could be nothing... lots of things can cause a lump on such sensitive tissue. Especially if she shows zero tenderness.

Do do the milk test.. and well.. do exactly as Mini Horses says!

 

[Ridgetop]

If you don't already have some buy mastitis tubes like Today. They will not be available after January 1 without prescription so buy at least 12. You will use 2 at a time (one in each teat) so 12will only give you 6 doses.

If the test comes back positive, treat with the mastitis tubes. Dump all milk for the withdrawal times. Continue to milk am and pm, stripping her out completely. The less milk in her udder the better. Hot clothes applied to the udder and gently massage will help to let down milk if mastitis causes difficulty in let down.

 

[Alaskan]

They will not be available after January 1 without prescription so buy at least 12.

Wow.

 

[Ridgetop]

Lots of livestock drugs are no longer over the counter. Most antibiotics will be prescription only.

 

[oaksandiron]

Thanks, all, for your replies!

I ended up taking a sample to the vet for culturing, which came up with practically nothing. He is scratching his head and wants to see her; I am not convinced of the benefit vs expense if she is fine in all other aspects.

We will probably bite the bullet and have him out; we have anothe goat who is passing small amounts of bright red blood from her rectum but fecal egg counts are low and no cocci, so . He wants to see her too, and since he has only ever seen them at the clinic it woukd probably be good to have him to the farm. But GAWD, the bills!

 

[Alaskan]

Thanks, all, for your replies!

I ended up taking a sample to the vet for culturing, which came up with practically nothing. He is scratching his head and wants to see her; I am not convinced of the benefit vs expense if she is fine in all other aspects.

We will probably bite the bullet and have him out; we have anothe goat who is passing small amounts of bright red blood from her rectum but fecal egg counts are low and no cocci, so . He wants to see her too, and since he has only ever seen them at the clinic it woukd probably be good to have him to the farm. But GAWD, the bills!

I had the vet come out once for the goats..

I had him show me how to draw blood for samples, wrote down all possible questions... wrote down all his answers...

And never had him out again!

 

[Ridgetop]

We will probably bite the bullet and have him out; we have anothe goat who is passing small amounts of bright red blood from her rectum but fecal egg counts are low and no cocci, so . He wants to see her too, and since he has only ever seen them at the clinic it woukd probably be good to have him to the farm. But GAWD, the bills!

He will probably charge ONE "Farm Call" charge to come out, then charge for whatever he does for the goats. Since he is coming on a farm call, have him do EVERYTHING animal related while he is there. Even any dog, horse, etc. vaccinations you need done. Since he is already charging for the "Farm Call" it will save you taking any other animals to his office for anything. He can even look at all the animals you have on site. Check if he will charge just for looking at them first. LOL

 

[farmerjan]

If you don't already have some buy mastitis tubes like Today. They will not be available after January 1 without prescription so buy at least 12. You will use 2 at a time (one in each teat) so 12will only give you 6 doses.

If the test comes back positive, treat with the mastitis tubes. Dump all milk for the withdrawal times. Continue to milk am and pm, stripping her out completely. The less milk in her udder the better. Hot clothes applied to the udder and gently massage will help to let down milk if mastitis causes difficulty in let down.

The antibiotic rule went into effect this past June. The only things still on the shelf are inventory that the stores are allowed to sell out of. Not sure where you got January ......