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["Lynda" <lurine AT softcom.net>]

This is not correct.  If a vet said this, s/he needs to go back to school.

The main difference in goat and cow's milk is the fat molecules.  Goat
molecules are, on average, 2 micrometers and bovine are 3-1/2 micrometers.
Smaller fat molecules are easier to digest.  Also, goat's milk is naturally
homogenized and bovine milk is mechanically homogenized.  Mechanical
homogenization means that the fat molecules are broken up and more evenly
dispersed in the milk.  Doing this creates an enzyme (xanthine oxidase) and
it has penetrates the intestinal wall and enters the bloodstream.  This
causes an irritant AND once there, it can cause scar damage to the heart and
arteries.  That, in turn, sets up the release of more cholestrol in the
blood.

Also, that is one of the reasons for drinking *real* milk instead of that
junk they sell in stores!  Plus, studies show that drinking store bought
junk milk takes 24 hours to digest and goat's milk takes 20 minutes.  Much
easier on the digestive tract.

Goats milk is also missing the major alpha-s-1 casein that is in cow's milk
and that would be why goat cheese is different in texture and has a softer
quality.

Now, goat milk compared to sheep.  Sheep milk has a much higher % of solids
than either cow or goat.  Sheep milk has 18-25% solids while goat and cow
yield a mere 9-10%.  So, that means more cheese from less milk.

Sheep milk also has more short and medium chain fatty acids which have
little effect on cholesterol.  Plus, sheep milk has more conjugated linoleic
acid (CLA) which is both a cancer fighter and a fat-reducing fat.

Sheep milk sells for more $$ than either cow or goat.  And if you have a
multi-use sheep herd (meat and fiber, NOT standard wool because it's worth
about as much as McCain for president bumper stickers <g>), then you could
make a decent amount of money on sheep.

So, here's how they match up, on average and I've added in humans just for 
fun:

SOLIDS:  Sheep - 19.30; Goat - 12.97; Cow - 12.01;  Human - 12.50
FAT:  Sheep - 7.0;  Goat - 4.14;  Cow - 3.34;  Human - 4.38
PROTEIN:  Sheep - 5.98;  Goat - 3.56;  Cow - 3.29;  Human - 1/03
CALCIUM (mg):  Sheep - 193;  Goat - 134;  Cow - 119;  Human - 32
CALORIES:  Sheep - 108;  Goat - 69;  Cow - 61;  Human - 70

HOWEVER, you gotta like sheep because they are the biggest PITA in the world
<g>

Lynda, who has raised them but will NEVER raise woolie/meat sheep again!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <paxamicus AT earthlink.net>

> I am not sure either, not having made much of a study of dairy, but
> the (human) lactation specialists I've talked to, an the vets for whom
> I've worked, have recommended goat's milk because the proteins are
> smaller than others, and therefore more digestible.