Post by campfarmerangie on Dec 3, 2007 16:38:48 GMT -5
Gladys has masititis in all four quarters. She has one quarter that produces almost no milk that is filled with fibrous tissue, most likely from previous mastitis. The vet was fabulous, and here's what he gave me: 2 giant shots of pennicllin to be given once a day intramuscularly for the next two days. Teat infusions for the worst quarter to be given for two days. And oxytocin to be given before each milking because he believes part of her mastitis problem is the fact that she has not let down for a week and so milk is just sitting in there. He's taken samples of her milk to culture, should know back tomorrow or the next day. He suspects it's a staph strain of infection, but will know for sure later. If it is staph, he recommends "moving her on" as she will never be totally cured of mastitis, will battle it constantly, and will have much lower production, even if we can save the one quarter that is very badly infected right now. It's lumpy, which he believes are abcesses, which is indicitive of staph. I have a few questions for you knowledegable people:
1) Should I give the oxytocin? I'm a bit skeptical, as it is addictive, right? On the other hand, to get her completely milked out, perhaps that's what must happen for now to get the milk moving out of her.
2) If it IS staph, what should I do? I'm trying not to jump to conclusions, but I fear that it might be. I don't want to constantly battle mastitis. I don't want her to have to constantly battle it either.
3)Could she be used as a nurse cow if all this turns out to be true? I can't pass her on to someone else knowing this, and the thought of hamburger brings me to tears right now, but could she be used to raise a bunch of babies, or am I still asking for trouble?
Any thoughts or experiences are greatly appreciated!
Angie, who is not looking forward to giving my cow these shots.....
1) Should I give the oxytocin? I'm a bit skeptical, as it is addictive, right? On the other hand, to get her completely milked out, perhaps that's what must happen for now to get the milk moving out of her.
2) If it IS staph, what should I do? I'm trying not to jump to conclusions, but I fear that it might be. I don't want to constantly battle mastitis. I don't want her to have to constantly battle it either.
3)Could she be used as a nurse cow if all this turns out to be true? I can't pass her on to someone else knowing this, and the thought of hamburger brings me to tears right now, but could she be used to raise a bunch of babies, or am I still asking for trouble?
Any thoughts or experiences are greatly appreciated!
Angie, who is not looking forward to giving my cow these shots.....