*graphic picture warning*

[frustratedearthmother]

I'm following this thread with baited breath.... My question is this.... on any succeeding lactations will that half of her udder fill with milk that has no way to escape?

 

[BlueMoonFarms]

I'm following this thread with baited breath.... My question is this.... on any succeeding lactations will that half of her udder fill with milk that has no way to escape?

I think that might be what the oozing is actually. You can see it on the right hand side of the udder.
Its foul and not something I would ever think of putting near me. Bleh...
But, that's pretty much my assessment of things when it comes to the milk.

 

[hilarie]

Sadly, I have no direct experience in this kind of teat infection. But I have a TON of experience in infection, necrosis, and the like in humans. I so want to go at that dead tissue (called eschar) with a scalpel and *clean it up*, as I'm sure you do. I would imagine the dry, nasty part (and whatever is purulent underneath that) will eventually slough off and not bother her - or you - again. And it does look like the other side is OK. My hat's off to you again, for the good job you've done taking care of her, even when it was revolting

 

[BlueMoonFarms]

Sadly, I have no direct experience in this kind of teat infection. But I have a TON of experience in infection, necrosis, and the like in humans. I so want to go at that dead tissue (called eschar) with a scalpel and *clean it up*, as I'm sure you do. I would imagine the dry, nasty part (and whatever is purulent underneath that) will eventually slough off and not bother her - or you - again. And it does look like the other side is OK. My hat's off to you again, for the good job you've done taking care of her, even when it was revolting

Yes...Just yes...The temptation to remove everything dead that I can is SOOOOOO strong. I literally eye the scissors every time I go out there...But I know im not supposed to touch it and just let nature take its course, plus I dont want to screw anything up, so I have been able to control those, cut it off, urges...
How long does it take for human tissue to fall off then?

 

[hilarie]

Depends on a lot of things: the age and condition of the patient, whether they have other comorbid diseases (like diabetes), whether the circulation is good to that area. That's a big area, though. I'd think it might be weeks longer.

 

[Harbisgirl]

Wow what an ordeal. Thank you for posting pictures so often, its very education. Its made my stomach flip a few times, but it is comforting to know what to expect.

 

[BlueMoonFarms]

So, this is how I found it this morning.
It was hanging off, and I tugged it a tiny bit, only to realize that it was not actually attached to anything. The flesh was hanging from a loop of good flesh that I assume was an artery or something.
So, I went and found a scalpel and did some digging...Because im impatient....
Turned out the flesh literally was hanging by a thread and slipped off the loop easily
I flushed the wound with sterile water, cleaned any remaining loose flesh out, and then packed it with the yellow antibiotic. i forgot what its called...
Anyway, here are the seriously gross pictures, but at least its off now and the real healing can begin.
I'll keep you all updated on how the udder heals up.

Bleh...Oh the smell was awful...

 

[Harbisgirl]

Oof, gruesome. Thanks for the update!

 

[MDres]

It looks great!

My only concern is *IF* that is a portion of an artery bulging out of the wound, you'll want to protect it. If it gets nicked or opened in any way, she will bleed out and die within minutes. I've seen it happen to dairy cows who cut the artery that is visible under the skin on the abdomen. They bleed out before we can get them clamped off and sutured...

 

[BlueMoonFarms]

It looks great!

My only concern is *IF* that is a portion of an artery bulging out of the wound, you'll want to protect it. If it gets nicked or opened in any way, she will bleed out and die within minutes. I've seen it happen to dairy cows who cut the artery that is visible under the skin on the abdomen. They bleed out before we can get them clamped off and sutured...

Very good point. Shes still up in the kidding pen so thankfully she isn't moving around to much, but now that you mentioned something I'll call the vet and have them come out just to check and see what it is and what i should do.
Its healing very quickly now, still has a bit of a smell to it but other then that now that the flesh is gone its cleaning up nicely