Chunk in milk - mastitis?

Pony · #1 04/14/10, 08:30 AM

Okay, this is a new one for me, and I didn't see this specific situation happening when I searched (though I may have used wrong terms...)

Whilst milking Ms Trub this morning, we were going along great. Splish, swoosh, splish, swoosh, into the bucket with lovely milk.

About 2 pints into the milking, her right teat stopped splishing. I thought, "Hm. That's odd..."

Continued to massage and milk on that side, when suddenly, "kerPLUNK" into the bucket.

Nothing to do but continue the milking at that point, so I finished up.

Came in, strained the milk into the jars, and at the very bottom of the bucket was a cheesy chunk of ... something.

There was a wee tinge of pink on one part of the curd-like, slightly grainy chunk, which was half the size of the nail on my pinkie finger. No other chunks in the bucket or filter.

Doe is bright, alert, responsive; eating, drinking normally. Has been eating a bit more fresh grass lately, but not huge amounts. Temp 102.5.

1.) Am I dealing with an early mastitis?

2.) If so, do I milk her more often today?

3.) Is it possible that this is a one-time incident?

TIA!

suzyhomemaker09 · #2 04/14/10, 08:46 AM

Do you have the stuff to do a quick CMT ?
California milk test.

Pony · #3 04/14/10, 08:53 AM

Acronyms are funny things. Around here, CMT means Clinical Massage Therapist.

No, I don't have the quick test. Read they're unreliable. <shrug>

Do I increase the number of times I milk her?

ozark_jewels · #4 04/14/10, 09:08 AM

It can happen and be a one-time thing, yes. It can be from a bruise, etc. The bit of blood on the clot makes me think bruise. If she looks and feels fine, I would just watch her milk closely and yes, I would milk her tonight so if it is something more, you catch it earlier.

Pony · #5 04/14/10, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

It can happen and be a one-time thing, yes. It can be from a bruise, etc. The bit of blood on the clot makes me think bruise. If she looks and feels fine, I would just watch her milk closely and yes, I would milk her tonight so if it is something more, you catch it earlier.

Thanks!

(We can tell kidding is over -- you're back online!)