mastitis?

[English]

Not even sure if this is the right forum to ask this. If I'm in the wrong place please feel free to re-direct me.

My new mother seems to have mastitis. I got her in the head catch tonight to work on milking her. Didn't really anticipate getting much if any milk as the calf is on her but just getting her used to getting back in there. She was going in very well before the calf was born for some sweet feed.

Anyway she has one quarter that is large and fairly hard/firm. I could draw milk out of the other three quarters and it seemed nice and clean...no flakes. But the affected quarter seemed over full but I couldn't draw any milk out of it.

Would appreciate any and all advice on how to proceed.

Mike

 

[Imissmygirls]

Mike, Get her back in the headlock and get some milk out of that quarter TONIGHT. The longer it goes untreated, the worse it can be.

Any number of things could be wrong, including a *blind* quarter that doesn't milk . Is there someone local with more experience that could milk her for you? Sometimes with mastitis there is a big clot stopping up the duct and it takes some serious pressure to move it. It's not pleasant for you or her, but mastitis can be life threatening.

I don't know the difference in feel between a blind quarter and mastitis blockage; maybe Miss Kitty or Wyne can help?

 

[Farmer Kitty]

With the swelling from calving it's going to be pretty much impossible to tell the difference. Get her back into the headlock and try to get something out of that quarter. While doing so check and see if it's hot. If so, you really need to get it going and treat her for mastitis. If not try, don't be afraid of doing damage, to get milk out. If you can't tonight and the quarter isn't hot, I would recommend getting a milking tube (local farm supply store should have them) and using it in the morning. Sterilize it and gently insert it into her teat cannal. If there is milk in the quarter it should flow with the milk tube. If it starts flowing and stops after a bit it maybe plugged with mastitis. You can try milking her by hand with it in to clear it. If that doesn't work you will have to remove it and clear it out (blowing or water run through, sometimes you may have to use a piece of hay) sterilize and try again. With mastitis I would you recommend treating. Today is a good product and what I would recommend to try first.

 

[wynedot55]

you say her teat is hard.an you cant get any milk out of it.well that teat needs milking out.as said you can get a needle to put up in the teat.so it can drain the milk out.an she needs tobe dr for mastitis.

 

[English]

Thanks for all the advice. Upon further attempts I've determined that I was worrying about nothing. Looks like the calf had just not nursed on that quarter. They've evened out now and that quarter looks and feels like the others now.

Hate to be a worry wart but...WHEW!

Mike

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Glad to hear it was not mastitis! Better to gather the info you think you need than to go about things blind though.

 

[Imissmygirls]

yeaaaahhhhhhh! Whew!
But better safe than sorry when mastitis is concerned.