Sore Teats

[pfaubush]

My new Jersey cow came home today and has sores on her teats. She's been feeding 3 calves and will now be the family milk cow. Anyhow, she's my first cow, so I'm not sure how to deal with this. Do I just use some udder butter when I'm done? Do I need to do something stronger, since they do look so sore? Bag Balm? Stronger? TIA

[springvalley]

Were the calves getting old that were on her ? I would think bag balm would work, just make sure you wash it off good before milking. A good natural balm would work also, if you can find one or make one. I don`t like medicated products on the udder. > Thanks Marc

[gone-a-milkin]

Udder butter should do the trick, if that is what you have. It really soaks in between milkings and I have had great success with it.

The teats will heal up really quick, w/o those sharp-toothed calves butting on her udder.

Good luck with your new cow. She sounds like a patient one.

[pfaubush]

Thank you! I have some udder butter on hand.

She is a doll! Very patient and sweet. That's not to be confused with happy about any of it. lol. It takes me nearly an hour to get her milked. I'm guessing that will get better. PLEASE tell me it will get better.

I appreciate the help. I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions. Oh, and yes the calves, from what I understand should have been weaned a while ago, but the owner didn't like hearing her beller for them all the time. Oh, and does she beller!

[gone-a-milkin]

LOL! They do have loud voices to get their point across clearly.
4 days of bellowing for their calves, that is pretty standard at weaning time.

It will get better. Your arms will look like Popeye's!
Just keep eating your spinach and you 2 will end up being fast friends.

[linn]

Calves can really cut up a cow's teats. Those teeth are sharp. Hope everything goes great with your new cow.

[gone-a-milkin]

How about an update?

Are things getting easier with the new girl?

[pfaubush]

Mama J is taking things pretty darn well. We put up a make shift stanchion until we can get everything in order (she came a week early). Her teats still have sores, but they don't seem to be as big or as sensitive.

I do have another question though. As hard as I tried, I couldn't milk her out 100%. I was so sore until last night that I could barely write and typing was out. Now, I seem to be doing better and am getting every last drop. Unfortunately, every last drop has been cut to a quart at a time. This morning, she didn't eat much at milking. She looks fine and isn't acting any different. So, is this because I couldn't milk her all the way out (I know they'll only produce what you take but this is less than what I was taking), could she still be depressed about her calves (they were pulled Friday afternoon), or could she be sick? Her milk is fine, so it's not mastitis. I'm at a loss. I don't even know what type of info you would need in order to give me advice.

[ozark_jewels]

Does her manure look normal(not too watery or too dry)?
Is her nose wet and cool/warmish or hot and dry?? A cow with a hot dry nose indicates a fever.
What type of pasture/hay does she have available?? Does she have cool, clean, fresh water?? And is she drinking the water?

Milk decrease can and does happen when moved(and you are a newbie at milking, which can cause decrease), but not eating all her feed, and with this heat....I'd be worried.

[pfaubush]

Poop is fine, nose is cold and wet like a dog (a big slobber nose dog lol), and she's been drinking fine. I did find out that she had knocked her water bucket over yesterday and it may not have gotten filled back up right away (we've found a solution to that).

I took the rest of her grain from this morning out to her and she ate it right up. Her udder was fuller this afternoon than it was when I milked her this morning. I won't milk until 8:00, so whatever the issue was, she seems to be doing ok now. Morning sickness? They think she may be pregnant, so I need to have her preg checked.

[ozark_jewels]

Good news! Guess she just had an off day, as we all do.