Authors: Dr. Firdous Ahmad Khan, BVSc, MVSc
Theriogenology consultant
Goats normally have two teats and any teat in excess of that number is referred to as ‘supernumerary’ or ‘accessory’. Supernumerary teats have also been reported in cattle and many other livestock species. These teats may be separate and not connected to the primary mammary gland, connected to the primary gland, or separate and with a functionally separate mammary gland. Usually, they are vestigial and located behind the main teat. Bucks too are sometimes observed to have this defect; the extra teats are usually seen in front of the scrotum. Supernumerary teats have a genetic basis. The trait is highly heritable and controlled by a group of genes (polygenic inheritance).
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The decision to remove or spare the supernumerary teats is not easy at times and may be influenced by whether or not they interfere with milking or nursing the kids, type (dairy, meat, or other), and rules of breed registration agencies and goat associations. It is better to remove them when the animal is young but care must be taken to avoid removing by mistake a normal teat instead of the supernumerary one. Moreover, the incision should be craniocaudal (front to back direction) so that the scar blends with the normal folds of the udder.