Drying off procedures

[cjb]

I've done it once... .what is your recommendation?

We cut down to once per day for a few days and now she's only give one quart when milked every other day. Can we just stop now? This cow has been prone to mastitis so would like to be as careful as possible.

Do you all put in the teats plugs with antibiotics?

Also, since she has freshened with mastitis, can I maybe give her an antibiotic shot a few weeks before freshening?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you
Cliff

[Chixarecute]

One quart every other day? Just stop. If she's had mastitis, I would go ahead and "dry treat" all quarters. It'd be better if you'd had the mastitis cultured, so you could use an appropriate treatment. Keep her out of the mud & manure while she's dry, that should drop the risk of developing mastitis.

[cjb]

If I stop right now, won't the orifice close before Tuesday? I think Tuesday is the soonest I can get the wax plug things.

How long does it take for them to close up?

[triple divide]

Buy a box of Tomorrow. Follow the box instructions. Wait for her to freshen in 30-60 days, CMT her at every milking. Treat her with Today as needed (follow box instructions)

[cjb]

I do all of that. Actually, both times she got mastitis was when she bagged up. When I asked about it on here, people told me NOT to treat it or even milk some out before she calved because I would break the protective seal.

Just hoping that I can give a dose of antibiotics proactively.

[triple divide]

Originally Posted by cjb

I do all of that. Actually, both times she got mastitis was when she bagged up. When I asked about it on here, people told me NOT to treat it or even milk some out before she calved because I would break the protective seal.

Just hoping that I can give a dose of antibiotics proactively.

I'm afraid she is probably a chronic case now.

I don't understand fully your milking her every other day prior to drying off. Every lactating cow should be milked once/day every day for +/- 310 days (minimum, although I cannot imagine not milking 2X/day until drying off, or fathom an acceptable reason not to) without interruption. Even the most meticulously managed herd of cows are exposed to the various bacteria causing mastitis, this is why strict hygene, testing, and preventative measures should be constantly observed and practiced.

Remember treat a cows teats kind-of like a wound we are constantly reopening and cleaning. Wash and dry your hands, wash and dry her teats, strip the teats 2-3X (this serves two purposes;1. opens the teat canal and strips it of any indications of problems for visual inspection, 2. initiates the "let down" reponse in her to fully milk out), CMT her, milk out thoroughly, treat with a teat barrior (teat dip), wash thoroughly all milking equipment (not greater than 180*F and should not drop below 120*F during the wash cycle)and sanitize with hot water and acid prior to milking. Satintation cannot be overstressed.

Now, not all (of course) mastitis is caused by milking or equipment. A lot (not sure of %'s here) is environmental, ie: bacteria in the cows environment (her stall, lounging area, corral etc.) or even on her pasture (mostly e.coli bacteria). Her age, history of lactation, immune response,and nutrition are all important variables and a combination of poor milking practices and one or two environmental issues will > likelyhood of manifestation of mastitis. Treated unagressively can result in a case of chronic peracute mastitis.

In summation, I would cull her. Her mammary system is likely compromised if she is peracute prior to freshening.

I wish you the best of luck.

[cjb]

Yeah, I know that she is not the ideal family milk cow and this was my last attempt to breed her, hoping that she freshens without mastitis. This entire lactation was very healthy - no mastitis, and I CMT test once or twice per week. The vet actually told me to cut down to once per day, then once every other for a few days then stop. I guess everyone has their different approach.

If either functioning quarter comes back infected this time, she will go to freezer camp. I sure hope not.

I suspect that the problem with her is that her sphincter muscles in her teats are weak. When she is full, she leaks. I would think that would make her teats susceptible to any bacteria around the place.

Her stall, our hands, the equipment etc. are meticulously kept. She is in a very clean pasture and will be until the birth so I'm hoping for the best.

I have a nice heifer coming 15 months so should be able to breed her fairly soon as a replacement.