Cow loosing her left rear quarter, need help!

barngirl · #1 02/23/10, 07:22 AM

Our Jersey who freshened almost 3 weeks ago, is drying up in her left rear quarter. At first we thought it was maybe mastitis because she had flakes and loss of production for a few days. Now she doesn't have flakes, but we're still down over a gallon a day. We've been giving her the 2T of Apple Cider Vinegar in her feed, Peppermint balm, hot compress/massage and some Bova Sera. WE DON"T WANT TO LOOSE THE QUARTER, and we'd like to help her work production back up again - she was giving 6 gallons a day which we use!

Do you all have any suggestions on what to give her? I'd prefer for it to be natural so that I don't have to do a milk withdrawl but maybe I should just give her a few TODAY injections in that quarter?

Thank you so much,
Jenna

linn · #2 02/23/10, 07:43 AM

I would suggest that you do give her antibiotics. A few days of discarding milk is better than her losing a quarter.

willow_girl · #3 02/23/10, 07:54 AM

A mastitis-infected quarter will almost always lose production to some degree during the acute phase. Not only is the affected quarter damaged by infection and scarring, but production overall may drop while the cow is feverish and not feeling well. Some cows come back up to speed. The infected quarter may or may not be permanently damaged depending on the severity of the infection.

Please, folks, forget about "natural methods" and TREAT THE COW WITH ANTIBIOTICS ASAP when you detect mastitis! Not all mastitis responds to antibiotic therapy, but if you're dealing with the garden-variety Strep ag, you should see good results. The sooner you get a handle on mastitis, the better. Cows that experience scarring inside the udder are more likely to become chronic high SCC cows with recurring infections and a drop in milk quality.

This is especially paramount, IMO, when you're dealing with a family milk cow. You probably have only 1 cow, and 4 teats from which to obtain your milk. To a commercial dairy farmer with hundreds of cows, the loss of one teat, or even one cow, isn't as crucial. But you can't afford to take chances!

If this were my cow, I'd go ahead and treat her even if she wasn't showing signs of clinical mastitis (i.e., chunky milk) at the moment. The peppermint balms show some effectiveness, IMO, so I'd continue using that, especially if there is any hardness or hotness in the quarter. I'd also pre-dip and post-dip with a commercial product at every milking (make sure you wipe and milk the infected teat last to avoid cross-contamination) and treat her with Tomorrow (all four quarters) at dry-off.

Farm 36 · #4 02/23/10, 02:20 PM

If this cow was giving 6 gal a day SHE IS SICK she needs treatment . If your family is not allirgic to the antibotics you can drink the milk. If you are milking by hand just milk the bad Quater that is treated and throw that away . Milk from treated cows changes cheese making and yogurt but is still good to drink .Take her temp and if above 103 she needs antibotic in the quarter and SQ. If she gets too sick she will die . I would call the vet if one is avilable and get the right treatments not just shooting in the dark .

barngirl · #5 02/23/10, 04:56 PM

Okay, I first want to mention that I'm not afraid of giving antibiotics

Second, I went to the farm store and got the TODAY infusions...I plan on giving her an injection tonight, and then I'll touch base with my vet again tomorrow. I just want to clarify: If I put the infusion in the left hind quarter, I can still drink the milk from the OTHER 3 quarters, right?

Thank you for your help! I will keep you updated, and will be aggressively treating her left hind quarter. I realize the grave importance of it all. If any of you have other ideas on things that we can do in addition to the TODAY infusions, I would appreciate it!

Jenna

Farm 36 · #6 02/23/10, 05:04 PM

Yes you can drink the milk from the other quarters that are good .If someone in the family is allegic to a antibotic they should not drink the milk for safty .
Check the temp . Is the bad quarter look pure milk or watery ?

topside1 · #7 02/23/10, 06:34 PM

Jenna, Farm 36 is right. The qtrs. are not inner connected..drink the milk from the sound 3 qtrs....good luck...topside

barngirl · #8 02/23/10, 08:09 PM

Thank you all

She was doing well tonight (produced more milk than this morning!!), and I'll be touching base with my vet tomorrow.

Also, I'll use that milk from the other 3 quarters. Thanks so much.