lilmac":23oiobhz said:
Its late, I'm tired, and going to bed. But first, I reluctantly ask for help.
I did the search thing and found 225 hits for mastitis. I did not look up every one. I would like to know the symtoms. I have a cow that has teets that are 4-5 times there normal size. She has a 9 mo. calf and is due next mo. But the teets are larger than normal. There is no abnormal color, or discharge. She also seams to be loosing weight.
??????Mac :help: :help:
Why reluctant? This is the place to come for advice - but the odd time it also gets a person spanked!
First - 9 month old calf - still on her?
Remove it immediately. Separate immediately.
Tits larger than normal. How old is the cow? It could simply be bag break down due to age.
Weight issue may be due to - no is likely due to large calf still sucking while the cow trying to raise a calf to term.
The calf may be turning and getting ready to deliver - that often makes a cow look like she is slimming up.
Exactly what do you mean by "losing weight"?
Mastitis in my cattle usually looks like a hard patch settling in the bottom of the bag - I notice that the bag does not "flex" when she walks - it is solid.
If it is a bad case of mastitis the entire bag may become solid.
I happen to know that what we do is not the best - but if I plan on shipping her after weaning, I let the calf suck anyways. I will supplement with a GOOD quality replacer with a HIGH FAT content if necessary. Sometimes this will allow the cow to improve and actually feed the calf.
Sometimes I will medicate as required - only if I plan to keep the cow - I do not know you or your experience level so I will not enter into a drug discussion at this stage.
Have you considered having a veterinarian out to look at her?
If this 9 month old calf is sucking she is stealing from the calf that is about to be born. In fact she is stealing the best milk - first milk or colostrum.
This older calf suucking often causes mastitis.
You might have it and you might not.
I suspect the cow is hurting due to management probs. If I am correct and you have the original calf in with the cow you have created the prob as she will do her darndest to feed them both.
When the calf is born, the older one will kick the little fella' out of the picture and take it all for itself.
More info will get you more response. Let the questions fly.
One final thing. One of the resident experts on this sort of thing is known as milkmaid. She is a young lady with far more knowledge on these issues than this old S.O.B. I usually solve tough probs by shooting them. Where we come from cattle are basically worthless.
I listen when she speaks on this stuff - so should you - pm her if she does not show up.
Regards,
Bez!