Aboutgoatlady Expertise Specializing in New Goat Owner understanding of goat physiology, goat anatomy, goat care and herd management. *I am not a veterinarian, any advice and information should be verified by your veterinarian before administering to your goats.
Experience 17 years experience of raising goats and herd management. Active hands on experience with goat herd and research with various Caprine University Research and Extension Centers nationwide. 15 years dedicated to helping other goat breeders/owners with goat anatomy, goat disease and goat health care issues via phone, published goat care articles and internet interaction.
Organizations 5 year active member of International Veterinary Information Service
Publications United Caprine News, Homesteaders Magazine, Columnist for Goat Magazine, Owner and Author of GoatPedia™
Education/Credentials Graduate Programs in Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University
Expert: goatlady Date: 7/10/2008 Subject: 1 AND 3 YR OLD FEMALE GOATS
Question I HAVE 3 GOATS. I HAVE A 1 YR OLD WHO HAD A HEALTHY MALE AND A 3 YR OLD WHO HAD HEALTHY TWIN MALES AND ANOTHER 1 YR OLD. THE 1 YR OLD AND THE 3 YR OLD WERE RECENTLY ILL. THE 1 YR OLD WAS FEBRILE AND TACHYPNIC. I CONTACTED MY VET AND I GAVE HER A 7 DAY ROUND OF PENICILLIN 5ML TWICE A DAY. SHE WASN'T EATING OR DRINKING FOR 3 DAYS AND HER MILK ALMOST DRIED UP. HER UDDER WAS WARM BUT NOT IN JUST ONE AREA. THEN I NOTICED MY 3 YR OLD WAS WARM AND THAT HER MILK PRODUCTION WAS ALMOST NOTHING. THE OTHER 1 YR OLD HAS BEEN FINE THE WHOLE TIME. SO AFTER THE ROUND OF ANTIBIOTICS AND SOME TLC IM GLAD TO REPORT THEY ARE ALL DOING WELL AGAIN, BUT BOTH THE FEMALES THAT WERE SICK ARE STILL NOT MAKING MUCH MILK. I CONTINUE TO GRAIN THEM AND THEY HAVE FRESH WATER AND ALFALFA/GRASS HAY EVERY DAY. WE DID A GOOD JOB OF CLEANING EVERYTHING(YARD AND BARN)BUT THEY JUST AREN'T PRODUCING MUCH MILK. I HAVE CONTINUED TO MILK THEM IN THE HOPES THEIR MILK PRODUCTION WILL PICK UP BUT AFTER ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF THEY CONTINUE TO MAKE ONLY 4-8 OZ OF MILK A DAY. ANY SUGGESTIONS. THEY ARE ALPINE/NUBIAN WITH A TOUCH OF BOER. WE LIVE IN NE WASHINGTON. THEY ARE GAINING WEIGHT BACK AND ARE NO LONGER ACTING SICK. THEIR COATS ARE SHINEY AND YES THEY ARE RUMINATING. I CHECKED WITH MY VET, BUT SHE DOESN'T HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS. HOPING SOMEONE CAN HELP.
Answer Hi Lynnette,
Once a goat is very sick the milk production will drop drastically and usually does not come back this milking - continue to get them in good health and then rebreed them later this year for babies in the spring and milk again. This would be best for their health. Their bodies have gone through a lot and making milk is last on the agenda for them to have to do. Giving therm a well needed break will do them a world of good .
