Welcome to TGS. So glad you found us.
Try giving her some Benadryl, from the picture, they look like bites or stings. It can’t hurt. (5cc’s childrens liquid or two tabs dissolved in warn water and drenched)

 

I appreciate the reply and am glad I found this forum as well. I've used Facebook for information on many other ventures but goat care is not one of them, it's a mess!

This morning the lumps were mostly gone and not in the same spot. The mystery continues. I'll be milking her shortly and we'll see how that goes. Her and the 3 kids are all spry, eating, and pooping solid so that keeps the stress down. If her temp is normal and the test strips are negative we'll continue the search.

 

You’ll find that we have amazing members with tons of experience and knowledge here. Everyone shares freely and cares about goats and giving them the best care. There’s no judgement or nastiness allowed it’s a nice safe family friendly place.

 

Test strips were negative and temp was 101.8 so we look safe from mastitis for now. Today was a much better session. She still had the lumps but I was able to get all her milk and I think the reduction of pressure is finally a welcome relief, even if it comes with a ride in the milking stand! It's possible that her teats are blown and the babies just can't nurse on them any more. I have to work to keep my hand around the entire teat (most large gloves are a bit snug on my hands) so that's a bit concerning. This morning the left teat was quite a bit larger than the right. She didn't seem to favor one over the other. The pictures show the teats after milking her right side. The left side came back down to the same size after milking but it was hard to keep a solid grip until I was halfway done. I'm thinking I might need to milk her 3X daily to keep the swelling down but I'm just not sure. I've been getting 3L a day from her but have no reference for normal.

 

Could it be varicose veins? I have a 5 year old alpine whose udder looks similar and her lumpiness is veins...her lumps are soft and pliable, not firm or knotty in texture.

 

I don't really know what those lumps are, but one or two of my first freshener does have them and they didn't seem to affect their health or milk quality. I wonder if they aren't just inflammation from biting.

 

I was thinking possibly clogged milk ducts when I first saw the pics.
Does the milk come out in a good stream once you are able to get your hand positioned?
With multiples, they can damage the teats as they’re trying to hold on tight while a sibling is trying to push their way in. Getting them to take a bottle was a great idea!
Welcome to the forum 😊

 

The milk comes out just fine and, if I get in a good rhythm, she tolerates it pretty well. I think you guys are right and those are lumps from the kids biting. I've seen the kids trying to nurse recently and it's more rugby than dining! The bumps aren't always in the same place or as raised. I think she must have tolerated long enough and finally cut them off. I wonder if I should tape her teats so they will leave her alone. Seems like any successful feeding is too high a cost if I can just milk her and bottle feed them.

I appreciate all the replies! We knew this would be a lot of work but the opportunity came up pretty quick so we didn't do a lot of front-side research. I'm now glad for two reasons: 1. we would have scared ourselves right of doing this. 2. it seems that the goats have just as much to teach you as the books so it's best to learn as you go.

 

We've had some freshen (Boer) like that off and on and I just kind of assumed it was veins as it didn't cause any issues. Hopefully that's all it is, especially if she has no milking issues and milk is testing negative

 

5 weeks she can start to wean them, since they are getting too rough and eating roughage. sometimes kids prefer one side over the other. maybe she is laying on something that is making her udder sensitive since there is not alot of hair?