Can we talk Mastitis?

[nappint]

This is my second week owning and milking our new dairy goats. Today I received my order from Caprine Supply that included a California Mastitis test and tonight I tested all 3 goats.

One tested positive for mastitis - there were a few small clumps that came out in the strip cup before testing and the CMT liquid gelled. Tonight was the first time clumps came out of her teats and she has no other symptoms of mastitis ie; no heat or firmness in her udder.

What would y'all recommend I do? To the vet and culture? Start her on antibiotics?

Ugh! I didn't think I'd have to deal with this yet - I thought my milking routine was sanitary AND this same goat was stung or got into something today and has a swollen head, jaw, face, lips - had to force down some Benadryl - poor thing!

TIA!

[Alice In TX/MO]

It is my understanding that the CMT is not really realiable for goats.

I had a doe who had some clumps last week. I milked that side every hour and a half during that day, and it cleared up.

[nappint]

Thanks Rose - I'll milk her several times tomorrow and see if that helps.

I was planning on taking milk samples to the lab in Ft. Worth next week - if anything is going on it will most certainly show up on that test

Thanks again!

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

CMT is a tool only.

If you use it weekly for the whole lactation, I do mine on Mondays when I weigh milk, it will give you an idea what is normal for that one doe. Some does will always gel, some will never, and some won't in early lactation but will towards the end. Change is what should concern you. Vicki