My dry doe is producing!

[fargosmom]

I don’t know if this is a health/disease question, a raising/breeding question or something else entirely. I just know I need help from the herd mind.
We adopted a La Mancha doe from a local dairy coop almost 2 years ago. They thought she might be 6-8 years old and at the time she was still giving milk but they did not want to breed her again so we are her retirement home. I dried her off with no trouble and she’s been a great companion to our horse.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed that one side of her udder was engorged, but not the other side. A goaty friend of mine looked at her and didn’t see anything to be too worried about, and recommended milking it out to relieve any pressure. Then it occurred to me she might be in season. BUT she’s continuing to produce ?milk? at a greater volume, now from both sides. She is bright and acts healthy, and her appetite is good.
Is this “precocious udder“? Should I not be milking her and instead drying her off again? Is this a vet call?
Yes I know a vet is the ultimate answer but I’m nee to goats and there’s a lot I’m sure I don’t know. I just want to know if we can avoid a vet bill . .

 

[Finnie]

I don’t know if this is a health/disease question, a raising/breeding question or something else entirely. I just know I need help from the herd mind.
We adopted a La Mancha doe from a local dairy coop almost 2 years ago. They thought she might be 6-8 years old and at the time she was still giving milk but they did not want to breed her again so we are her retirement home. I dried her off with no trouble and she’s been a great companion to our horse.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed that one side of her udder was engorged, but not the other side. A goaty friend of mine looked at her and didn’t see anything to be too worried about, and recommended milking it out to relieve any pressure. Then it occurred to me she might be in season. BUT she’s continuing to produce ?milk? at a greater volume, now from both sides. She is bright and acts healthy, and her appetite is good.
Is this “precocious udder“? Should I not be milking her and instead drying her off again? Is this a vet call?
Yes I know a vet is the ultimate answer but I’m nee to goats and there’s a lot I’m sure I don’t know. I just want to know if we can avoid a vet bill . .

I don’t own goats, but I think I’ve heard other folks say that it’s perfectly fine to just milk her and use the milk. You might have to adjust her diet so she can keep production up.

Anyway, now I’ve bumped it and the real goat people might see it now.

 

[rachels.haven]

If it's milk, just milk her. I'd rule out mastitis before drinking it, but if her udder is healthy, go for it.
No, I don't think a vet will help you unless she's sick.

 

[Mini Horses]

Agree. It could be a hormone thing. Milk, test, taste, use....unless you don't want to be milking. ooops.