C-2 Card, CMT, Mastitis and a nat treatment

[Becky]

I am rather confused at this point. When milking one morning, I think on the 4th, I got a "chunk". Just one. No salty taste, lumps, heat, nothing. I didn't have any cards or a CMT, so I slathered her with coconut, peppermint, tea tree. Everything seemed fine. Her foster calf was being too rough on her, so I weaned him on 11/9. Made me mad how hard he was on her . With him being so rough, I attributed the "chunk" to her having a little swelling/injury due to him being such a jerk.
So, in retaliation, she held up. She would let me have "my" 3 gallons, but would hold up "his" 2. Well, got a couple of chunks. Still not too worried, did the rub and massage thing. No heat, lumps, milk still way yummy. Got my test stuff that I had ordered and this is were it gets goofy. She milks about 5 gallons in the AM and about 3.5 in the PM, so in the am I milked out about a quart from each quarter and did the card test. After it sat there for about 4 minutes there was a definite green color to the little circles. Milked out another 2 gallons and tested again. All circles stayed nice and yellow. Not a HINT of green. So, again, I wasn't *too* worried. Next milking, I did the CMT test, and no, and I mean none, zero, zip, zilch, indication of mastitis. Completely negative. So, I did a card test again just for ducks and that turned *slightly* green. Through all of this, there has been no heat, swelling, lumps, milk is as sweet and lovely as ever, keeping well, but there has been a *few* chunks. When I say a few, I am talking go 2 days without a chunk, then get one, type of thing. So, does the CMT test for bacteria while the cards test only for high SCC? Meaning if there is an inflammation issue, but no bacteria would a person then get a positive card and negative CMT?
She is eating and drinking great, milk is wonderful, still no heat, lumps, swelling, redness, etc. No temp. All seems normal except this "chunk" and card thing. I got no chunks yesterday, but the card turned faintly green, CMT still totally negative.......

Becky

[nightskyfarm]

CMT does not test for bacteria at all, only a lab can do that. CMT is only a indication of a potential problem. If in doubt run a sample to your lab and have SCC and culture done. No more guessing then.

Also, check your reagent and make sure it is fresh and has never frozen.

[suzorse]

the CMT test for SCC I would go with the CMT not the cards ,if the cards do not turn as soon as the milk hits it I would say neg on all accounts Suzanne

[Becky]

OK, this morning the card came clear, but the CMT showed mastitis in one quarter. I actually started infusing her yesterday morning as I figured that I had something going on. I infused her with coconut oil/tea tree/peppermint, 10cc's yesterday AM and last night. I got one large chunk out of the RR quarter which is good. Things are breaking up. Will keep you posted and updated.

Becky

[Becky]

Less green this evening and I got a lot of junk out. Feeling like progress is being made.....

Becky

[Becky]

A few more details, this morning I noticed swelling in that RR quarter, which I had not noticed before. This evening, there was no swelling at all to speak of. *I* could pick it out because I know her/what is going on, but I don't think anyone else would see it. I have been slacking on giving "Rena's Drench" here lately, so I got that rolling again. I also gave her 4 cloves of crushed garlic. Anyone know what is the proper "dosage" for garlic? Sal weighs about 1600 lbs. Tomorrow I am going to try to put together a comfrey poultice, and I am also going to try to get a good epsom salt compress done as well. I think she will enjoy that and help her feel better as well as help with healing. This is the first time I have ever done/gone the whole totally without antibiotic "thing". Feeling pretty anxious, but I just went out and checked her (almost 1 am here) and she is very bright, had a big drink of water, slurped up the concoction I gave her, then went to munching on her hay. Her udder looks and feels great.

Becky

[thezillas]

Hey Becky,
Sorry to hear about the mastitis, it sounds like you're really on top of things though!!! Good job! From what I've heard the coconut infusions are supposed to work well. Are you still doing those?

As far as garlic dosage, I can say that I've given Georgia, my 900 pound Jersey, up to 8 HEADS of garlic a day, split up into 1-2 head "doses". And I didn't even have an aftertaste in the milk, that I could detect. You'll need to break the cloves apart, but from what I've seen there is a large saftey margin with the garlic. Even more so with a 1600 pound cow. It would be pretty hard to OD, IMO. Keep up with the drench at the same time, as it's got the probios to feed the good guys. If you can add in a few extra milkings over the next few days, that would probably help clear the "junk" too.

Hang in there!!!

[Becky]

Yes, I am still using the infusions. I am heading out to milk this morning, so we shall see how it looks. Thank you so much for the info on the garlic!! I have never used it before.......

Becky

[Becky]

All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!! Sal was MUCH more comfortable this morning, got a bunch more junk out of that quarter with minimal effort. I would gently massage a bit, milk, massage, milk. I infused again this am, loaded her up with garlic and probios. I am SUPER pleased with the progress!!

Becky

[thezillas]

Awesome news Becky!!!

[Becky]

Well, things are still steadily getting better. Tonight's milking produced a few more chunks, but nothing like this morning or last night. I don't feel like she let down really well. DH was roaming about and that usually puts her in a snit Anyway, the card test is steadily improving as well. Still a very VERY faint hint of green, which I expected. I infused again tonight, and slathered/massaged with Coconut/Peppermint/tea tree.
Hind sight is such a cool thing. One thing that I realized after this mornings milking, which was as smooth and quiet as could be, is that she had gradually become more "wiggly" at milking time. The other thing I noticed last night when she was is such pain, she kept her tail clamped. This morning and evening she was carrying it normally. Just something I need to remember to keep an eye on in the future.

Becky

[Becky]

Still some chunks this am, but less and the card is yellow. Not even a hint of green Feeling pretty darn good about it all at this point.

I am trying to keep a running "tab" on the progress or lack there of as it seems to me that there are quite a few people out there that would like to stay away from the antibiotics, but don't have the ability/time for multiple milkings. It seems that it is almost a one or the other. Hopefully, this will treatment will offer an alternative. So, that being said, I have intentionally avoided multiple milkings. If I had not seen a great improvement, do not for one minute think that I would have not done multiple milkings or used antibiotics. I certainly am not "opposed" to antibiotics. I have used them in the past and they will always be a "tool" in the medicine cabinet. I jsut would like to use them as little as possible.

So, in a nut shell, in 3 days of infusions we have gone from first infusion just a small chunk but a positive test to 24 hours later of so many chunks that the milk wouldn't filter through cheese cloth. At 48 hours into treatment back to minor chunks, and 72 hours later still some chunks, but a negative card test. I am going to treat the infusions just like I would conventional antibiotics and treat 3 treatments past any symptoms.

I am still slathering on the coconut/tea tree/peppermint and lots of massage before, during, and in between milkings. I am also using the cayenne and lard. Kind of alternating it.

Becky

[chaparra72]

Becky, how do you mix the infusion, and what do you use to infuse with? I may need to try this on Belinda, maybe she does have something going on too.

What are the proportions of coconut oil, tea tree and peppermint?

[Becky]

Hi there Sharon. Here is the link to the infusion recipe that I am using. familycow.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=mastits&action=display&thread=29542 I have been doing is using 12cc syringes and an infusion cannula that I found at Nasco to infuse with. Here is the link to the cannulas www.enasco.com/product/C05084N

I made up my infusion and put it into a mason jar that I had boiled to sterilize. When it gets too cool it solidifies, so I have been setting it in a bowl of hot water then draw it up in a syringe. I have been putting the syringes into a clean plastic ziploc baggie and then I put them in a lunch box with a jar of hot water to keep it warm and "liquid" as it has been kind of cold here lately. Do my milking and wipe the end of the teat with an alcohol swab, infuse, then massage it up into the udder. Then, for the first 2 days, I chewed my nails and didn't sleep
I feel that this has been a huge success with Sal. I was appalled at the amount of junk that came out of her udder. I suspect that the peppermint acts as a decongestant, so to speak. It sure is working for us!! That is all I know. I also have been feeding her a TON of garlic. I have to laugh, because as I milk her I can smell it in the milk. I guess I am giving her enough, huh? LOL!!

I am heading out to milk this AM, so I will post how it looks this AM.

Becky

[Becky]

Just looking better and better every milking. The worst quarter is still flecking, but nothing "major" like it was.

Becky

[Becky]

Quick update, looking better and better. I took a card test literally from the first squirt tonight, and a big fat negative. Very happy about that
Still just a couple of chunks, but less and less. Steady progress......

Becky

[Becky]

No major chunks this AM, some minor flecking. Still nice and yellow

Becky

[Joes Wife]

Wow Becky, thanks for all the updates. I am going to print this thread out for my "cow book". I know it takes time to update with all the details but it will surely help some of us one day!

Thanks! AND I am so glad that your girl is doing better---GOOD JOB!!!!

Teresa

[Janene]

Yes, good job! I'm encouraged by your news! Keep it up!
Janene

[Becky]

Just a final update. Last night was the last time I infused, have been having clean card and CMT tests for several days now. So, tonight's milking was all clear of the peppermint flavor, no chunks, nice soft udder. I am pretty stoked. Tomorrow is milk in the bottle!! WOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Becky