What to do with udder edema in a goat after childbirth and the causes of the condition, treatment
Lamb 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, the goat's udder swells; what to do in such a situation? This question is of interest to 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 edema
Swelling of the udder refers to swelling of the milk ducts. This problem often occurs after lambing and is due to hormonal changes that the female encounters 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 shade, becoming burgundy red or bluish. From the outside it seems that the organ has become bloated and heavy. This condition is not accompanied by pain, but causes anxiety in the goat. She can hardly move her legs and tries not to disturb the mammary glands.
The most common cause of problems is lack of physical activity during pregnancy. An excess of succulent feed can also act as a provoking factor. In addition, the following factors lead to the causes of problems:
- stagnation of milk in the ducts;
- excess water;
- low temperature indicators in the room;
- infection of the female;
- exacerbation of diseases of internal organs - kidneys, heart, liver;
- belated toxicosis.
How to distinguish from other pathologies
An abnormal enlargement of the udder is considered the main symptom of problems. It can become 3-4 times larger. In this case, swelling is observed in one lobe or in two at once. Also, the anomaly can affect the abdomen and chest.
The disease is often accompanied by other symptoms. To identify the problem, you should pay attention to the following features:
- Organ appearance. It becomes saggy and swollen. The goat has a firm udder to the touch. It is often possible to probe the enlarged lymph nodes above it. The udder can be as hard as stone. Moreover, it is not hot, but cool.
- Milking quality. With edema, milk is often not enough. Sometimes the discharge is not liquid, but a curdled structure.
- General state. The female may experience an increase in body temperature. The animal may refuse to eat, feel increased drowsiness and weakness.
- Additional signs. Sometimes the udder is covered with rashes. In this case, the eyes and eyelids may become reddish. Mucous discharge is observed from the nose.
Diagnostics
Visual examination allows to identify the development of pathology. When edema occurs, the udder significantly increases in size and changes shade. In this case, the organ becomes bloated and saggy. When such symptoms appear, it is recommended to observe the behavior of the goat for several days. This will help determine the severity of the discomfort. You should also gently knead the udders with your hands. The organ may feel tight to the touch. In some cases, bumps or lumps are present under the skin.
When pressure is applied to the udder, it slowly regains its shape. For a long time, there are indentations from the fingers on the surface. The skin is cool to the touch. Milk is practically not squeezed out and has a watery consistency.
How to properly treat edema in goats
Usually, swelling after lambing goes away on its own in 1 week. At the same time, there is no need for medicines. If, after 7 days, the udder remains tight and the goat is anxious and low on milk, action is required. First of all, it is recommended to reduce the amount of fluid in the pet's body. To do this, you should do the following:
- reduce the amount of silage and succulent feed in the diet;
- to increase physical activity - it is worth driving the goat around the pen twice a day;
- limit the amount of water;
- milk the animal more often - 3-5 times a day;
- isolating the goat from other animals - this will help prevent traumatic injury;
- Daily udder massage is recommended before and after milking.
Massage should be done with warm hands, moving from the nipples to the base of the udder. It is prohibited to use creams or solutions with irritating effect. Sometimes farmers use petroleum jelly. It is also permissible to use baby cream.
Drug therapy after lambing is carried out using special means that contribute to the restoration of blood vessels. For this it is worth applying the following:
- calcium gluconate - 100 milliliters of the substance should be injected once a 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 functions.
To reduce puffiness, you should use a herbal dust poultice. Warm wraps are also recommended. If the udder sags under the influence of gravity, it is worth tying it up. If it comes into contact with the ground, there is a risk of serious injury. Sometimes veterinarians prescribe ointments with anti-inflammatory properties.
To prepare such infusions, you should use the following:
- juniper berries - take 100 grams of raw material for 1 liter of water and give the goat 100 milliliters per day;
- birch buds - take 50 grams of raw material for 1 liter of water and give the female 1 small spoon a day;
- horsetail - for 1 liter of water, take 50 grams of grass and give the goat 1 teaspoon per day.
Properly selected treatment will help to cope with swelling in 1-2 weeks. If excess fluid continues to accumulate in the tissues, you should consult your veterinarian.
What can be the consequences
Small swelling is not harmful to the animal. If the goat does not feel pain, then you need not worry. In this case, it is still necessary to treat the female, since the cubs may experience a lack of milk.
If the swelling 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.
Preventive measures
To avoid problems, it is necessary to properly feed the goat during pregnancy. It is important to reduce the amount of juicy and acidic food. The diet should be based on high-quality hay. If the goat is very thirsty, 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 carry out cleaning - take out manure, change the litter;
- start a goat 1.5 months before lambing;
- let the animal go for a walk every day - it should last at least 1-2 hours.
Edema after lambing is very common. In most cases, this condition is not dangerous. But sometimes it becomes the cause of mastitis and other negative consequences. Therefore, it is so important to start treatment in a timely manner.
