EZ milker-ruined teat?

[Jan in CO]

Ok, I used the EZ milker on the side not being used by twin Nubian doelings. Thought I got it clear up to the udder, all seemed fine until the next time I went out to the barn, and Nutmeg's teat is purple around the center, like a bad bruise. Cold to the touch, and hard at the tip. The milk kept dripping after I'd used the EZ milker, so I didn't get that side completely emptied. I've been hand milking her since then, after warm soaks, and she just drips constantly. Yikes! Have I ruined that teat? I'm sure I followed the directions, but what now? Her teat feels like it has a marble in the end, and although it is less sensitive than it was at first, still sore. Any thoughts as to what else I can do to relieve he discomfort? I'm concerned about the orifice staying 'open', also. Jan in Co (Who is now afraid to use the EZ milker on any other first fresheners!)

[goatkid]

I've never used an EZ milker, but I would test the doe for mastitis and continue to hand milk. If this had happened to my goat, I'd bottle feed the kids and milk the doe to give the udder the chance to heal properly. If the doe tests positive for mastitis, treat it with Today. Even if there is no infection, I'd be sure to dip the teat in disinfectant after milking with that oriface open like that.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

You can leave brusises like this in a just fresh doe with just a good grip. It's the same motion over and over that brings blood to the skin, and the better the udder texture of the doe the worse this problem is. And it isn't a problem, doesn't hurt the doe at all, it just looks bad.

Keep her milked out, she will toughen up her skin as she is in milk longer. Soon the other kid will find the other teat as the strongest kid drinks more than their share! vicki

[Hip_Shot_Hanna]

Originally Posted by Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians

You can leave brusises like this in a just fresh doe with just a good grip. It's the same motion over and over that brings blood to the skin, and the better the udder texture of the doe the worse this problem is. And it isn't a problem, doesn't hurt the doe at all, it just looks bad.

Keep her milked out, she will toughen up her skin as she is in milk longer. Soon the other kid will find the other teat as the strongest kid drinks more than their share! vicki

Wow - it's good to know this Vicki - I'm sure I'd have been alarmed to see a bruised udder. OTOH, I've known women that really struggled to breast feed because of bruising and so on, so I guess I should be able to figure that out.

[Jan in CO]

Well, that's good to know. Hip shot, it isn't the udder that is bruised, it's the teat. It's also cold, compared to the other, 'normal' one, and has a lump in the end that wasn't there before. I've just never had this happen with any of the other does with hand milking--guess I don't have a good grip in my old age! Now, if those little doelings can just figure out what that huge thing is that keeps whacking them in the face when they go under mamma to nurse...and try that one, we'll have some progress! Of course, I have had does that the kids preferred one teat over the other and just waited their turn for the 'right' one, so I wasn't surprised when they were both using one at first.

Jan in Co

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

I completely missed the cold part. That is not a good sign. Is the milk normal in the half? Could she have gotten stepped on? Is her udder pendulous? Vicki

[Jan in CO]

The udder is very simetrical, and the teat seems to be warmer now than at first. Maybe milking her is improving the circulation, I don't know. There is no sign of any mastitis, no clots, blood, clumps, etc. Of course, I don't have any of the California Mastitis testing materials to be absolutely sure, but so far, so good. I'm hoping this will eventually resolve itself, I've just never seen this! Jan in Co