Post by Lannie on Nov 15, 2021 15:30:48 GMT -5
Well, I could do that, but I'd have to order the test first, then get the sample and send it in, then wait for the results, so we're talking a week and a half to two weeks, in all probability. What would be the "more harm" if I gave her the ToDay without doing a culture first? Just the chance of introducing bacteria with the infusion?
The reason I think it's not Staph A is that it's not getting worse, and is slowly getting better. In my previous experience with Staph A, it didn't just "get better" by itself, it only got worse. I guess I could just keep milking her and waiting, but I'd really like to make some cheese at some point. I've been waiting so long for cheese... But whatever. I can wait a little longer,
This morning's milking was GREAT! I got everything ready, put her treats in the feeder box, and when I took the bar down so she could go in, she nudged me with her nose to make me move out of the way faster, LOL! Not only didn't I have to use the lead, I didn't even have to SAY anything today - she was totally back to her normal behavior. She went right in, and seemed to let down (but then, she's been SEEMING to let down for a while now). There was another flurry of tiny little specks on the filter, again making me think that she's flushing out the old stuff and maybe she DID let down today. I'll have to wait and see what the cream line says. Again.
Her milk tastes worlds better than it did last week, so it's definitely improving, and her quantity is going up, too. I got a cup more than a gallon this morning (yesterday it was 1.5 cups LESS than a gallon), and that was after getting a bit more than half a gallon last night, which was a pint more than the night before. This might work. (You can all say "I TOLD YOU SO!" now, it's OK. I'm just resistant to twice a day milking, if I don't have to.)
I didn't have time today, but tomorrow (or tonight) I'll keep out a cup of milk and warm it and add a few drops of rennet and see if I get a cleaner break. Before, the best I got was the same as if I was cutting a good clabber culture to make cottage cheese. Kind of a fuzzy break, if you know what I mean. If her SCC is going down, maybe the rennet will work better now. I hope.
Anyway, things are looking up! I'm just thankful I have my old reliable Cricket back. That depressed, morose creature she's been over the past month was no fun.
The reason I think it's not Staph A is that it's not getting worse, and is slowly getting better. In my previous experience with Staph A, it didn't just "get better" by itself, it only got worse. I guess I could just keep milking her and waiting, but I'd really like to make some cheese at some point. I've been waiting so long for cheese... But whatever. I can wait a little longer,
This morning's milking was GREAT! I got everything ready, put her treats in the feeder box, and when I took the bar down so she could go in, she nudged me with her nose to make me move out of the way faster, LOL! Not only didn't I have to use the lead, I didn't even have to SAY anything today - she was totally back to her normal behavior. She went right in, and seemed to let down (but then, she's been SEEMING to let down for a while now). There was another flurry of tiny little specks on the filter, again making me think that she's flushing out the old stuff and maybe she DID let down today. I'll have to wait and see what the cream line says. Again.
Her milk tastes worlds better than it did last week, so it's definitely improving, and her quantity is going up, too. I got a cup more than a gallon this morning (yesterday it was 1.5 cups LESS than a gallon), and that was after getting a bit more than half a gallon last night, which was a pint more than the night before. This might work. (You can all say "I TOLD YOU SO!" now, it's OK. I'm just resistant to twice a day milking, if I don't have to.)
I didn't have time today, but tomorrow (or tonight) I'll keep out a cup of milk and warm it and add a few drops of rennet and see if I get a cleaner break. Before, the best I got was the same as if I was cutting a good clabber culture to make cottage cheese. Kind of a fuzzy break, if you know what I mean. If her SCC is going down, maybe the rennet will work better now. I hope.
Anyway, things are looking up! I'm just thankful I have my old reliable Cricket back. That depressed, morose creature she's been over the past month was no fun.