Mastitis?

[Oklahoma]

Can mastitis occur in a heifer? I always thought mastitis occurred in cattle that were producing milk. I bought a bunch of heifers and didn't notice until I got them back that one had an enlarged tit? Excuse my ignorance on the subject. Trying to learn as I go.
Is it mastitis? She is eating and doesn't seemed bothered by it. Lock her up and treat or what?

 

[regolith]

Yes, heifers can get mastitis.
But it's around 20 years since I've seen one with mastitis, so I haven't a clue what you'd do with it. Logic suggests get her in and feel the quarter, if its hot and painful treat for an infection (preferably with an injectable product), if it's strippable keep it stripped out until treatment is finished when it should dry down naturally. Definitely ask your vet for advice on treatment. The mastitis I used to see in heifers (in a different country) had a very specific treatment.
I don't think that looks like mastitis. Maybe an injured teat?

 

[Son of Butch]

Yes they can and when they freshen they usually are 3 teaters with the affected teat becoming a blind quarter.
But it is usually observed more in the swelling of the quarter than the teat. Is it mastitis? maybe
Doubt there is any effective treatment for her. Take her temp and go from there.
You can try to strip the teat to see what comes out, but the damage has been done.
Since she is eating and doesn't seem bothered by it I would leave it alone.

 

[Lucky_P]

Got one nursing her second calf right now that looked worse than that as a yearling. Losing function of that quarter is a possibility, but not a certainty.

If you can chute her, strip out that teat and infuse with a 'dry cow' treatment, I would...