Is this mastitis??

Berty · #1 04/19/08, 11:14 AM

I just bought two milk does three days ago. They have been milking great for me but I have a question. This morning as I was half way done milking one of them, one teat clogged a little and out came a little glob. This happened twice. They weren't stringy, just little white globs. No yellow puss or blood. I wouldn't have even noticed them but as they came out it was a little harder to squeeze the milk out. Plus I had cheese cloth over the bucket. (I'm a messy milker so I like to take extra precaution!) She does not seem to be in pain and her udder feels the same on both sides. Could this be the early onset of mastitis or any other idea of what this is? Thanks!

tioga12 · #2 04/19/08, 12:30 PM

Sounds like plugged ducts. Sometimes this happens when they are engorged. Mastitis would involve swollen/hard teats. It doesn't sound like anything to be worried about.

AnnaS · #3 04/20/08, 06:37 AM

A doe (or cow) can have mastitis without any symptoms at all. Actually, 70% of mastitis cases have no clinical symptoms at all, which is why SCC testing is so common in commerical dairy herds.

Clots in milk can have several causes, but mastitis would be my first suspect. Cow dairies assume milk clots = mastitis and treat accordingly.

The best way to diagnose mastitis and what will be needed to treat it is a milk culture with an antibiotic sensitivity test. Cost is $10 plus postage. Hee's the link http://www.stearnsdhialab.com/Price%...20Price%20List

Just call them up and ask for the sample kit, and instructions.

Whereabouts in MN are you?

Berty · #4 04/20/08, 09:24 AM

We are in the southeast corner, spring grove. I did take the small clump to the vet and he gave us treatment for mastitis. What if you didnt catch this and drank the raw milk? Thanks for the replys

mainer · #5 04/20/08, 09:53 AM

someone mentioned plugged ducts.what do you do to correct that problem? I think that's what our new goat has. utter is full,but milk doesn't come down as the teat empties.Any suggestions?

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #6 04/20/08, 10:32 AM

With the does just purchased, I would think that these small clots are nothing more than the udder not being milked thoroughly, the new milking routien or the move itself.

Although it doesn't hurt to culture, I test the herd yearly for subclinical mastitis, in this instance I would just keep thoroughly milking them out twice a day and give them a chance to get used to the move.

Worming, revaccinating, trimming feet, and slowly moving to your new feeding program. Vicki

mainer · #7 04/21/08, 06:03 AM

Thanks,Vicki.I'll keep milking and see what happens.

AnnaS · #8 04/21/08, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berty

We are in the southeast corner, spring grove. I did take the small clump to the vet and he gave us treatment for mastitis. What if you didnt catch this and drank the raw milk? Thanks for the replys

I *think* people should be okay. Call up the U of MN or the state vet for sure, but I'm thinking it's safe for humans. Mastitic milk fed to heifer calves often causes them to freshen with mastitis, though. It might work the same way for goat kids.