Post by heritagehomestead on Sept 19, 2012 22:22:21 GMT -5
We went out tonight and found our heifer's udder was lop-sided. Her right front quadrant was rock hard with some heat, and her temperature was 103.2. We immediately called the vet, and he confirmed that she has mastitis. I wasn't figuring on this problem just yet. Never was the goal.
We worked at it for a couple of hours. The vet said to strip it, but there was a good two small fistfuls left in the udder. It was dark out, but when we brought the bowl in the discharge was the color of pale blood with the yellowish curdling on top. We got out somewhere between 1/3 to 1/2 cup. We were told to strip her out 5 times a day. But after two hours we had not successfully gotten it all out once. Am I misunderstanding the directions? I imagine that it is very important to get the infection out. I am just not sure of my ability to do it. We did also give her an injection of Penicillin as well.
The vet thought that the infection could have come from another calf trying to nurse off of her or from her herself. Our daughter went over to ask the neighbors what they may have at their parent's barn up the road where them keep some dairy cows. They did not feel that what they had would be safe for a heifer her age. Neither had they ever had such a thing happen before.
Our heifer was really good about the whole thing. I really do think she will make a well mannered cow despite our mistakes and learning curve. How imperative is it that the udder be emptied each time? Or is the idea to get as much out at a time as possible and just keep working at it? I kept massaging her udder, but after about 15 minutes of not getting anything we stopped and did an iodine dip. I figure by morning will have to start all over though.
I'd appreciate any advice and what will happen if...
Thanks
We worked at it for a couple of hours. The vet said to strip it, but there was a good two small fistfuls left in the udder. It was dark out, but when we brought the bowl in the discharge was the color of pale blood with the yellowish curdling on top. We got out somewhere between 1/3 to 1/2 cup. We were told to strip her out 5 times a day. But after two hours we had not successfully gotten it all out once. Am I misunderstanding the directions? I imagine that it is very important to get the infection out. I am just not sure of my ability to do it. We did also give her an injection of Penicillin as well.
The vet thought that the infection could have come from another calf trying to nurse off of her or from her herself. Our daughter went over to ask the neighbors what they may have at their parent's barn up the road where them keep some dairy cows. They did not feel that what they had would be safe for a heifer her age. Neither had they ever had such a thing happen before.
Our heifer was really good about the whole thing. I really do think she will make a well mannered cow despite our mistakes and learning curve. How imperative is it that the udder be emptied each time? Or is the idea to get as much out at a time as possible and just keep working at it? I kept massaging her udder, but after about 15 minutes of not getting anything we stopped and did an iodine dip. I figure by morning will have to start all over though.
I'd appreciate any advice and what will happen if...
Thanks