MikeJoel
Well-known member
The mastitis seems to have been clearing up.
The milk returned about two weeks ago to a normal look but the udder still had an inner hard feel to it (like a bag with a brick in it).
Now the udder is softening and the hardness seems to be shrinking.
*Plugging ears* No we didn't treat with a drug yet...... *unplugging ears*
The calf was left on since it seemed to only be nursing from the two front teats. The one on the left I had suspected of a possible mastitis, but it never showed any real signs of it, so I dont know how much of the rear teat's hardness was effecting how I interpreted the front.
I am supposed to be getting the CMT in the mail tomorrow (turns out there was nowhere out here to get it).
Now my question is this.
The mastitis seems to be clearing up (the harndness going away, milk looks normal). Some want to now try to switch the calf to nursing the cows back mastitis teat by milking out all other teats. I say not to, that so far it seems to be doing good without any more problems and that tampering with it takes a chance that it will cause a spread of infection just when it seems to be kicking it completely.
I figure the calf is used to the front two so even if you get it on the back on it will try the front if from nothing else but habit and this will just put them to risk.
Besides taking the calf of the cow (we probably will but I want this question answered for a good reason) would you guys/gals leave the calf as is or try the switch.
Also as a second topic what is the best way to get a calf to bottle (just milk cow out and the calf will take to the bottle?)?
Thank you
Mike
PS. We do milk the cow out but by then the calf has gotten her share. They are talking about going to milking 3 times a day to keep her milked out to force the calf to the back (or bottle if we do that).
The milk returned about two weeks ago to a normal look but the udder still had an inner hard feel to it (like a bag with a brick in it).
Now the udder is softening and the hardness seems to be shrinking.
*Plugging ears* No we didn't treat with a drug yet...... *unplugging ears*
The calf was left on since it seemed to only be nursing from the two front teats. The one on the left I had suspected of a possible mastitis, but it never showed any real signs of it, so I dont know how much of the rear teat's hardness was effecting how I interpreted the front.
I am supposed to be getting the CMT in the mail tomorrow (turns out there was nowhere out here to get it).
Now my question is this.
The mastitis seems to be clearing up (the harndness going away, milk looks normal). Some want to now try to switch the calf to nursing the cows back mastitis teat by milking out all other teats. I say not to, that so far it seems to be doing good without any more problems and that tampering with it takes a chance that it will cause a spread of infection just when it seems to be kicking it completely.
I figure the calf is used to the front two so even if you get it on the back on it will try the front if from nothing else but habit and this will just put them to risk.
Besides taking the calf of the cow (we probably will but I want this question answered for a good reason) would you guys/gals leave the calf as is or try the switch.
Also as a second topic what is the best way to get a calf to bottle (just milk cow out and the calf will take to the bottle?)?
Thank you
Mike
PS. We do milk the cow out but by then the calf has gotten her share. They are talking about going to milking 3 times a day to keep her milked out to force the calf to the back (or bottle if we do that).