| Goat MASTITIS 101 | | | | want to express three-fifths of her milk. |
| If you are keeping goats, especially breeding goats, | | | | If the doe delivered five or more days prior, go |
| you will probably encounter mastitis sooner rather | | | | through the normal milking process. Then, rub the |
| than later. Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary | | | | teats followed by milking, repeating the process for |
| glands, often the cause of bacteria. If you have a | | | | 10 to 15 minutes. |
| goat with this condition, first ensure she is eating and | | | | When done, very gently inject 2ml penicillin into each |
| being given lots of love and support. | | | | of her teats. If you are able to empty the udder |
| Many times, the new mother will lose her appetite, | | | | without causing milk fever, the best solution for |
| which is common. However, if she stops eating, the | | | | Mastitis is again, milking followed by rubbing the teats |
| condition will quickly take her downhill. | | | | for 10 to 15 minutes. |
| To help get your goat back on track, penicillin shots | | | | If the udder is hot to the touch, apply ice packs to |
| twice daily for five to seven days should be | | | | sooth her aching body. If the kids are nursing, the ice |
| administered. If the Mastitis is severe, the treatment | | | | pack will also help make the teats softer and less |
| period of antibiotics may need to be extended. | | | | painful for nursing. |
| Keep in mind that if the Mastitis appears before five | | | | Remember that every case of Mastitis in goats is |
| days of the goat giving birth to her kid, there is | | | | different. Therefore, you will need to watch your |
| some risk of milk fever from intensive milking, which | | | | goat to see how she responds, providing her with |
| is a common cure for nursing goats with Mastitis. On | | | | the appropriate treatment. |
| the other hand, if the Mastitis appears right after | | | | It is important to always consult your veterinarian at |
| birth, the kids are not suckling enough milk. | | | | the appearance of any signs of illness when you are |
| Remember, if the doe is not producing adequate milk, | | | | keeping goats, and talk to your vet about all possible |
| she is at risk for Mastitis. However, even if she has a | | | | solutions available to you. |
| large udder and appears to be producing significant | | | | Reference source: The above article is an excerpt |
| milk risk of Mastitis could also exist. | | | | from "Goat Crazy" the unique ebook for anyone |
| In other words, this condition can manifest in a | | | | considering keeping goats as pets or commercially |
| number of ways. | | | | farming goats. |
| Therefore, as a rule of thumb, express one-fifth of | | | | Source & Author: Helene Malmsio of the "Keeping |
| the doe's milk per day. In other words, if the doe | | | | Goats" website. |
| delivered three days prior and Mastitis appears, you | | | | |