Udder Question

[WolfeMomma]

I was looking at my Yearling ewe the other day, and it looks like one part of her udder is normal size, the other side is a bit enlarged. She is not pregnant. Though in my research online I have seen some people say that clover can cause the udder to enlarge, something about a hormone or something in it? Has anyone experienced this? I have looked at the udder, it doesn't seem sore, no sign of bites etc, though a sting may be possible but I would imagine the swelling would have gone down by now if that were the case.

 

[Mike CHS]

We have a couple that are uneven but they have always nursed just fine and never had any problems. Even humans aren't always balanced so I wouldn't think it's anything to worry about.

 

[secuono]

Clover, fungus on it, causes slobbers, swellings and rarely stocking up in horses. No idea if it's the same for other animals.

 

[Sheepshape]

Could you take a pic.?

Temporary enlargements do occur due to a variety of causes.

Have a good feel of the udder, too, before tupping. If there is a persistent hard lump, then it is probably a sign of mastitis in the previous year.

What Mike CHS has said, though, is absolutely true. Udders can be quite uneven in size and shape without there being any abnormality and with good milk production ability.

 

[WolfeMomma]

I will try and get a picture, I was concerned mainly because it's quite obvious(in my opinion) and she has a couple big shows this summer, will she be marked down because of that ? It doesn't bother her so if I wasn't showing her I wouldn't really care much.

 

[WolfeMomma]

 

[Sheepshape]

It just looks like she has better mammary development on the right than the left. Has she had lambs? Her udder looks like she has, so, if she hasn't, then something has caused the udder to look that way.

I've no idea as to whether an uneven udder will mean judges would penalise her in a show......but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[WolfeMomma]

It just looks like she has better mammary development on the right than the left. Has she had lambs? Her udder looks like she has, so, if she hasn't, then something has caused the udder to look that way.

I've no idea as to whether an uneven udder will mean judges would penalise her in a show......but it wouldn't surprise me.

She has never had lambs, she is a yearling that will be bred this August if all goes well. It's been like this for maybe a month. Would her coming in to heat do this?

 

[rosti]

A lot of times the ones that start forming udders and are not pregnant or ever had kids are uneven like that. In my experience when they are bred, they freshen wih nice even udders.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

In goats, precocious udders are normal. If you go to a dairy goat show you’ll see many dry yearlings that have precocious udders. The majority of our yearlings get them- and even a few bucks. It’s common in heavy milk genetics. They freshen with even udders so I don’t worry too much. Here’s one of ours. I can’t wait to see her once she actually kids!