Mastitis?? Need advice tonight

[freechicken]

One of our does kidded on Tuesday and one of her teats was clogged right from day one. We were advised to leave one of the kids on her and see if he would clear it for her. It cleared by Thursday night but tonight I noticed blood in the milk pail at the end of her milking. So, does this always indicate mastitis? If so, what is the easiest way to treat? My husband is out of town this week and I am left manning the homestead and our four young kids on my own, so the easier the better. Also, is the milk safe to feed the goat kids? Safe for us to drink? Thanks!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I copied this from a post by Vicki McGaugh in another forum. Want to give credit where credit is due. She is very knowledgeable.

"Pink milk is normal in high production does, especially in young ones. As they freshen the udder has to stretch to accommodate that first flush of milk after the colostrum. As the udder stretches it breaks tiny capillaries under the skin, causing blood to seep into the milk. From a slight pink tinge, to a noticeable residue at the bottom of your container after the milk sets in the fridge."

"Masitic milk............ other than subclinical staph which usually only shows up as a lopsided udder with very poor shelf life of the milk............is not something you have to guess if you have. The doe is ill, the milk is nasty, smelly, you could not even begin to make yourself drink it, think Fear Factor gross. The milk is from stringy green snot, to cottage cheese that spurts out of the small orifice in clumps and is the grossest thing you have ever tried to do, milk a doe with a mastitic udder"

Hope this helps you.

 

[OneFineAcre]

One of our does kidded on Tuesday and one of her teats was clogged right from day one. We were advised to leave one of the kids on her and see if he would clear it for her. It cleared by Thursday night but tonight I noticed blood in the milk pail at the end of her milking. So, does this always indicate mastitis? If so, what is the easiest way to treat? My husband is out of town this week and I am left manning the homestead and our four young kids on my own, so the easier the better. Also, is the milk safe to feed the goat kids? Safe for us to drink? Thanks!

No it doesn't always mean mastitis.
In fact, considering she just kidded it is not likely. Most likely just injured, and if it was blocked and the kids were nursing on it hard because they weren't getting anything, that's most likely the case,
You should probably test her though.