udder care

[beewench]

I am just wondering what everyone does for general udder care on their girls? Like, udder wash before and after milking? Any type of lotion or balm you use regularly? Anything in particular you have found that works or doesn’t work? Just general daily stuff you use, not necesarily for injuries...

Just curious from some of you veterans..!


Thanks!

-=Sarah
www.beewench.blogspot.com

[Oat Bucket Farm]

We use a spray bottle and spray udder wash on their udders until its dripping off. Then starting with the teats, we use a clean bar towel (they go through the wash with bleach) to wipe off the udder wash. After milking, we spray a little on the tips of the teats. Then we use a small amount of oatmeal based lotion on the whole udder.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I use Novalsen, diluted, from Tractor Supply, on shop towels from cleaning before milking. A spray of the same solution afterward.

Was told never to use lotions or oily things on the udder because it encourages germ growth/staph dermatitis.

[LoneStrChic23]

I use a udder wash from Hoeggers the same way Audra does....thinking about switching my udder wash to a Novalsen mix because I love that stuff. After milking, I spray with Fight Bac.

Anytime I've had dry udders, I use organic virgin coconut oil (same thing I use on my hairless dogs skin). Massage a small amount in after using the Fight Bac....after I've massaged as much of it in as I can, I clean off the excess with my udder wash and spray the teats again. I prefer not to use anything petroleum based, and I never leave the oil on, because I don't want dirt sticking to the udders.

[Oat Bucket Farm]

I have Novalsen but I'm still not sure exactly how much to mix with water to make an udder wash. I don't have a way of making large batches at a time so need measurements for smaller batches. Right now I use the Fiasco Farm wash but have heard such good things about the Novalsen that I want to try it now that I have it.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I use a quart of water and a good slosh of the Novalsan. Are we spelling that right?

[LoneStrChic23]

Looking at the bottle now and it's Nolvasan

I too need to know how to mix small batches as I don't have the huge jugs of it.

[Oat Bucket Farm]

About how much do you think a good splash is Alice?

[LoneStrChic23]

After reading the thread on DGI, I guess it would depend on what formula you have.... I posted mine on the DGI thread and it sounds different, perhaps milder that yours Audra...

So maybe if I mixed mine I would have to use a generous amount compared to you?

I've put mine, undiluted on sore mouth sores with great results..

I know at my vet supply where I bought mine they had some that listed kennel cleaning directions, but no skin use and they had the stuff I bought with directions for wound cleansing and disinfecting..

My Nolvasan says this on the 8oz bottle:

Nolvasan Skin & Wound Cleanser Contains 2% (w/v) chlorhexidine acetate in a stable detergent base Mine has no directions for mixing, but says it can be applied directly to skin, or have water added for sudsing..

[Oat Bucket Farm]

I think I have the wrong stuff. I will be taking it back and looking for the wound cleanser.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Here is what it looks like:
http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDgQ8wIwAw#

[ghmerrill]

I purchase chlorhexadine from jeffers in one gallon bottles- WAY cheaper than novalson, and none of the additives that novalson has. Use one ounce per gallon for cleaning. Chlorhexadine is great stuff, and very mild on the skin.

[Oat Bucket Farm]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Here is what it looks like:
http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDgQ8wIwAw#

That is what I have but on the back it says not to get it on the skin and if I do to rinse it with water for 20 minutes and call poison control. And to make sure all animals and feed are removed from the building and there is adequate ventilation before use.

[Alice In TX/MO]

That's totally strange.

Edited to add: I think it's the concentration. Here's the info from a more dilute solution of the SAME chemical product.

Helps damaged tissues heal rapidly without causing irritation. Gentle cleanser that helps prevent infection. Effective against bacteria, yeast, and fungi (ringworm). Directions: Thoroughly rinse area to be cleansed with water. Apply sufficient Nolvasan Skin and Wound Cleanser and wash gently. Rinse again thoroughly. Rinse the area to be cleansed with clean water. A moistened gauze pad may be used to apply a small amount of Nolvasan Skin and Wound Cleanser to the affected area. Gently cleanse for 2-4 minutes. Additional water may be needed to obtain adequate sudsing. Repeat cleaning if necessary. Wipe away excess foam with a clean gauze pad. After cleansing, an antiseptic ointment or suitable dressing may be applied.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...KFS4G6BAYSPG71

[Alice In TX/MO]

For dipping teats as an aid in controlling bacteria that causes mastitis. Make up a final dipping solution by putting 32 ounces (one quart) of Nolvasan Solution in a clean gallon container, adding 6 ounces of glycerin and then adding clean potable water until you have a total volume of one gallon.

http://www.allivet.com/ProductDetail...1&Show=ExtInfo

[Alice In TX/MO]

They even make a concentration for cleaning dogs' ears.

For general cleaning of ears and topical wounds of dogs and cats to aid in the removal of necrotic tissue and debris. Effectively cleans irritated, infected ears. Helps ears to heal quickly and stay healthy. Safe, even on sensitive tissues.

http://www.amazon.com/Nolvasan-Otic-.../dp/B0002XIYZI

I'm going to stop now.:smiley-laughing013:

[julieq]

We used Novalsan up until a couple of years ago when we started to make an effort to get away from chemicals in the barn and house. Back then we wiped, using baby wipes soaked in Novalsan, and then after milking we sprayed with the same thing. Then we switched to homemade flannel wipes (that we wash and reuse) moistened with water and lavender oil drops (stored in a plastic baby wipe box). We just clean the udder and teats a bit before milking and don't do anything at all post milking. Our does are bedded down in pine shavings in the barn so they really don't get dirty.

Call us lazy, but we've never had mastitis problems and it sure is a lot cheaper.

[Oat Bucket Farm]

What does the lavender drops do?

[chewie]

i use baby wipes before, and iodine cow dip after. i was using the fiasco dip, but neighbor who quit milking cows had most of a 30gal drum left of the iodine and gave it to me, complete with the pump thingie. i use the cow dipper thingie too.