Beef cow with an udder problem

[Farmgirl]

Hubby just checked cows tonight. One cow has a cut on a teat. Quarter is enlarged, don't know that it is mastitis. Cow has a month old calf. Suspect quarter is enlarged because she won't let the calf suck it. Calf is doing fine. No shortage of milk from this ole girl.

Should we get her in the chute and milk it out? Give antibiotics? Do nothing?

Thanks,
Farmgirl

 

[Aaron]

Depends how big and deep the cut is. If she won't let the calf suck it, you are best off putting a coating of bag balm over the cut and wrapping it in what is called 'teat bandage' (its a thin, foam type material that sticks to itself like it was glued). And then load her up with antibiotics. You'd have to milk the affected quarter out each day is you wanted to save it.

 

[Farmgirl]

Thanks Aaron,

What about using a miking tube to get the milk out of that quarter? I see some are advertised as self-retaining. Could we just leave it in the teat and turn her out?

Thanks,
Farmgirl

 

[dun]

Teat cannulars can work pretty well. We used to use the one with valve on the end, but we were hand milking then.

 

[Farmgirl]

Dun,

Could we leave it in and turn her out?

Thanks,
Farmgirl

 

[dun]

Dun,

Could we leave it in and turn her out?

Thanks,
Farmgirl

We closed the valve and turned her out but she cam in for milking morning and night. I would be leery of leaving an open one in and turning out because of the possibility of contamination of the udder.

 

[Farmgirl]

Thanks.

 

[bigbull338]

personally id never leave a drain needle in a cows teat ever.the best thing todo is leave her in the corral an drain it twice a day.an you better watch her for mastitis.as they generally get it with cut teats.