Heifer - Is she ruined? I want to cry

BlackWillowFarm · #1 03/23/12, 12:05 PM

I have a year old heifer calf running with two steers of about the same age. They've been separated for 8 months and we just put them all together again a couple weeks ago.

This morning she was playing around and I noticed she had a little udder that looked bigger than it should be. I just checked her, she's in milk in all four quarters and one feels like it's got mastitis.

There's no chance she could be bred. I don't keep a bull and she's never been off the farm.

What do I do now?? Is she ruined as a milk cow? Will she have a blind quarter? I know I'll have to treat her for mastitis. What else should I do? I know I'll have to get the steers away from her. I could just cry.

chamoisee · #2 03/23/12, 12:07 PM

You should test for mastitis and treat accordingly if she has it. This happens in goats too and as far as I know it doesn't ruin them.

I don't see why running with steers should have any effect on her unless they are trying to nurse on her or are butting her udder? But maybe cattle are different from goats in this regard.

BlackWillowFarm · #3 03/23/12, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chamoisee

You should test for mastitis and treat accordingly if she has it. This happens in goats too and as far as I know it doesn't ruin them.

I don't see why running with steers should have any effect on her unless they are trying to nurse on her or are butting her udder? But maybe cattle are different from goats in this regard.

I haven't seen it, but I think the littlest steer is sucking on her. I saw him sucking the big steer when they were penned together, just the two of them.

cindy04 · #4 03/23/12, 12:22 PM

She should not be ruined. Just seperate her from the steers, and treat her with Pen G if she actually does have mastitis.

MO_cows · #5 03/23/12, 03:35 PM

I wouldn't consider her ruined, but they have likely damaged her udder. Get them separated or put a weaning nose "blab" on the sucking culprit. Treat the mastitis and consult with a vet how to best "dry her off".

We had a heifer that would let calves suck on her, but she never came into milk. Her udder isn't ruined, but it isn't near as nice as her mother's and I think that too-early sucking made the difference.