We've had three heifers now that won't milk. One last year and 2 this year. All three calved and mothered up. Calves would nurse, but after about 48 hours seemed to be really going downhill. Brought cows into the chute and couldn't get milk from any of them. Actually the cow last year could be milked but the milk came out at the junction between the teat and udder and the calf wasn't getting any. The two this year had no milk. Udders were very firm, not hot and teats are soft and empty. Vet came out and said it was teat cistern obstruction. He threaded a needle into the teat and actually got milk from one quarter on the first cow this year, but it occluded again. Other three quarters were unsuccessful.
Has anyone had similar problems? I assumed the etiology is genetic as all three have the same sire, but a local dairyman told me it was related to trauma, possibly from weaned calves/yearlings nursing one another. Anyone have any experience with this?
Thanks for any insight.
Has anyone had similar problems? I assumed the etiology is genetic as all three have the same sire, but a local dairyman told me it was related to trauma, possibly from weaned calves/yearlings nursing one another. Anyone have any experience with this?
Thanks for any insight.