Swelling of the udder in a goat after childbirth: what to do and causes, treatment rules

Lambing is a significant burden on the animal's body. During the first pregnancy, it is imperative to keep the condition of the female under control. Sometimes after childbirth there is swelling of the udder in a goat; what to do in such a situation? This question interests many farmers. Medicines and special massage will help to cope with the problem. If you do not help the female in time, there is a risk of problems.

Causes of postpartum udder swelling

Udder edema refers to swelling of the milk ducts. This problem often occurs after lambing and is due to the hormonal changes that the female experiences during pregnancy.It is possible to see the appearance of problems even with a superficial examination. At the same time, the udder looks larger, acquires a dense structure and changes color, becoming burgundy-red or bluish. From the side it seems that the organ has become swollen and heavy. This condition is not accompanied by pain, but causes anxiety in the goat. She moves her legs with difficulty and tries not to disturb her mammary glands.

The most common cause of problems is the lack of physical activity during pregnancy. Also, an excess of juicy food can be a provoking factor. In addition, the following factors lead to the causes of problems:

• stagnation of milk in the ducts;
• too much water;
• low indoor temperatures;
• female infection;
• exacerbation of diseases of internal organs - kidneys, heart, liver;
• Belated toxicosis.

How to distinguish from other pathologies

The main symptom of problems is an abnormal increase in udder size. It can become 3-4 times larger. In this case, puffiness is observed in one lobe or in two at once. Also, the anomaly can affect the stomach and chest.

The disease is often accompanied by other symptoms. To identify the problem, you should pay attention to the following features:

1. Appearance of the organ. It becomes saggy and swollen. To the touch, the goat has a hard udder. Above it, it is often possible to probe the enlarged lymph nodes. The udder can be hard as a rock. However, it is not hot, but cool.
2. Quality of milking. With swelling, there is often little milk. Sometimes the discharge does not have a liquid, but a curdled structure.
3. General condition. The female may experience an increase in body temperature. The animal may refuse to eat, feel increased drowsiness and weakness.
4. Additional features. Sometimes the udder is covered with rashes. In this case, the eyes and eyelids may acquire a reddish tint. There is mucous discharge from the nose.

Diagnosis

Identify the development of pathology allows a visual examination. When edema occurs, the udder increases significantly in size and changes color. In this case, the body becomes swollen and sagging. When such symptoms appear, it is recommended to observe the behavior of the goat for several days. This will help determine the severity of discomfort. It is also worth gently kneading the udder with your hands. The organ may be firm to the touch. In some cases, bumps or nodes are present under the skin.

When pressure is applied to the udder, it slowly recovers its shape. On the surface for a long time there are indentations from the fingers. The skin is cool to the touch. The milk is practically not squeezed out and has a watery texture.

How to properly treat edema in goats

Usually, swelling after lambing goes away on its own in 1 week. However, there is no need for drugs. If after 7 days the udder is still firm and the goat is restless and is producing little milk, action is required. First of all, it is recommended to reduce the amount of fluid in the pet's body. To do this, do the following:

• reduce the amount of silage and succulent feed in the diet;
• increase physical activity - a goat should be driven around the paddock twice a day;
• limit water volume;
• more often milk the animal - 3-5 times a day;
• isolate the goat from other animals - this will help prevent traumatic injury;
• Massage the udder daily - recommended before and after milking.

Massage should be done with warm hands, moving from the nipples to the base of the udder. The use of creams or solutions with an irritating effect is prohibited. Sometimes farmers use Vaseline. It is also acceptable to use baby cream.

Drug therapy after lambing is carried out with the help of special tools that help restore blood vessels. To do this, use the following:

• calcium gluconate - 100 milliliters of the substance should be administered 1 time per day;
• calcium chloride solution - 150 milliliters is recommended to be administered intravenously 2 times a day;
• caffeine sodium benzoate - 20 milliliters of the drug is administered 1 time per day to normalize heart function.

To reduce puffiness, it is worth using poultices from herbal dust. Warm wraps are also recommended. If the udder sags under the influence of gravity, it should be tied up. If it comes into contact with the ground, there is a risk of serious injury. Sometimes veterinarians prescribe ointments with anti-inflammatory properties.

In addition to external therapy, it is worth making adjustments to the diet. It is important to add laxative s alts to the daily menu. It is also recommended to use magnesia and decoctions with diuretic properties.

To prepare such infusions, you should use the following:

• juniper berries - take 100 grams of raw materials for 1 liter of water and give the goat 100 milliliters per day;
• birch buds - take 50 grams of raw materials for 1 liter of water and give the female 1 small spoon a day;
• field horsetail - take 50 grams of grass for 1 liter of water and give the goat 1 teaspoon per day.

Properly selected treatment will help to cope with puffiness in 1-2 weeks. If excess fluid continues to accumulate in the tissues, it is worth consulting with a veterinarian.

What could be the consequences

Small swelling is not dangerous for the animal. If the goat does not feel pain, you can not worry. At the same time, it is still necessary to treat the female, since the cubs may experience a lack of milk.

If puffiness persists for a long time, there is a risk of developing dangerous pathologies. These include the following:

• mastitis;
• infections;
• sepsis;
• gangrene;
• tissue necrosis.

In this case, the animal completely stops giving milk, and in the most difficult situations it dies.

Prevention measures

To avoid problems, it is necessary to properly feed the goat during pregnancy. It is important to reduce the amount of juicy and sour food. The basis of nutrition should be high-quality hay. With a strong thirst in a goat, the amount of water should be limited. This is especially important during the last two weeks of pregnancy.

Also, to prevent problems, you should adhere to the following rules:

• keep the goat in a warm room without dampness and drafts;
• systematically clean - remove manure, change bedding;
• 1.5 months before lambing start a goat;
• let the animal go for a walk every day - it should last at least 1-2 hours.

The appearance of edema after lambing is observed very often. In most cases, this condition is not dangerous. But sometimes it causes mastitis and other negative consequences. Therefore, it is so important to start treatment in a timely manner.

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