Edema of the udder, NO FUN! It will feel hard, usually the whole udder but sometimes just toward the top half. You wont get much milk from it.. I would suggest to rule out mastitis first. Check milk for color and texture..see our mastitis file for more details.
Causes:
CAE: If your goats are not tested, I encourage you to test them. We have a file on CAE. Please take time to read and understand..then test. If your goat is positive and is the cause for congestion, there is little you can do to recover a healthy udder. I would try the steps provided below just the same.
Selenium Deficient: Most areas are considered deficient in selenium. This can cause sluggish labor, retained placenta, thick thick water bags as well as congested udders...and so much more..( read our mineral def. file) Giving BoSe ( injectable se) 2-3 times a year, especially 30 days before kidding or the monthly gel can help.
Heavy milk lines: Sometimes milk comes in fast and hard and the udder response is edema.
Too Much Grain: I have read accounts where feeding too much grain toward the end of pregnancy causes Congestion. Reducing the amount of grain they get the last 2 months seems to have helped this.
Im sure there can be other causes but these are the common. Relieving a congested udder can take a few days to weeks, depending on cause and severity.
Things that help:
Vit C helps relieve edema..1000-3000 mg a day...you can give more if needed, they will pee out what is not needed.
Peppermint ess. oil: Peppermint increases circulation. Added to coconut oil or other carrier oil and use to massage. Peppermint can also decrease milk production.
Very warm compresses: Heat helps.
Dexamethasone or Banamine: In severe cases some have had success with using an anti-inflammatory.
Getting down to business
There is no getting around the elbow grease here....To work a congested udder I use warm compresses, Massage, knead, milk out, repeat..its helpful to apply a balm, such as Peppermint and coconut oil, apply the heated towel and massage why the towel is still very warm...then knead deep, milk out what you can, and start again. It can take a lot of work and many days..I would until my arms are ready to jump ship then I let us both rest. There is no easy way to go about it..no tricks...however some have had success with special balms, vicks, Cabbage rubs..I bet if you google it you would find tons. I have made balms with Eos that warm and stimulate and find them helpful but in the end..hard labor is needed...Balm, Warm compress, massage, knead, milk, repeat...
Causes:
CAE: If your goats are not tested, I encourage you to test them. We have a file on CAE. Please take time to read and understand..then test. If your goat is positive and is the cause for congestion, there is little you can do to recover a healthy udder. I would try the steps provided below just the same.
Selenium Deficient: Most areas are considered deficient in selenium. This can cause sluggish labor, retained placenta, thick thick water bags as well as congested udders...and so much more..( read our mineral def. file) Giving BoSe ( injectable se) 2-3 times a year, especially 30 days before kidding or the monthly gel can help.
Heavy milk lines: Sometimes milk comes in fast and hard and the udder response is edema.
Too Much Grain: I have read accounts where feeding too much grain toward the end of pregnancy causes Congestion. Reducing the amount of grain they get the last 2 months seems to have helped this.
Im sure there can be other causes but these are the common. Relieving a congested udder can take a few days to weeks, depending on cause and severity.
Things that help:
Vit C helps relieve edema..1000-3000 mg a day...you can give more if needed, they will pee out what is not needed.
Peppermint ess. oil: Peppermint increases circulation. Added to coconut oil or other carrier oil and use to massage. Peppermint can also decrease milk production.
Very warm compresses: Heat helps.
Dexamethasone or Banamine: In severe cases some have had success with using an anti-inflammatory.
Getting down to business
There is no getting around the elbow grease here....To work a congested udder I use warm compresses, Massage, knead, milk out, repeat..its helpful to apply a balm, such as Peppermint and coconut oil, apply the heated towel and massage why the towel is still very warm...then knead deep, milk out what you can, and start again. It can take a lot of work and many days..I would until my arms are ready to jump ship then I let us both rest. There is no easy way to go about it..no tricks...however some have had success with special balms, vicks, Cabbage rubs..I bet if you google it you would find tons. I have made balms with Eos that warm and stimulate and find them helpful but in the end..hard labor is needed...Balm, Warm compress, massage, knead, milk, repeat...