Milk blisters?

PrettyPaisley · #1 08/14/12, 10:45 AM

I noticed on Josie, my FF Saanen, she has blisters on one side of her udder and one teat. They kind of resemble a blister-one that has bubbled up-but without a clear skinning covering.

As crazy as it sounds, when I'm thinking about milking issues I try to relate back to when I was BFing my girls. I've heard of milk blisters on humans; do you think that is what this is on her? I don't think it's ant bites; the shapes of these blister places vary. They don't look like fire ant bites-which we have plenty of around here.

CaliannG · #2 08/14/12, 11:27 AM

I could be a staph infection.

Staphylococcal Dermatitis

KrisD · #3 08/14/12, 11:49 AM

From my understanding it could be and probably is staph infection. Milk her last, wear gloves, and wash her udder with Clorahexadine.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 08/14/12, 11:57 AM

Wait wait wait. Do you mean zit type blisters or bubble under the skin?

I have a couple of does who have flat-ish bubble under the skin blisters. No big deal.

PrettyPaisley · #5 08/14/12, 01:28 PM

They look more like bubbles on top of the skin. Not zit like - there is no head to them.

Can I use her milk? Can I catch it ?

Hollowdweller · #6 08/14/12, 01:33 PM

I had that on one or two of mine over the years if I'm understanding your description.

Just like a blister when you burn your hand or something?

If so I never figured out the cause. I figured either some caustic plant or bug bite.

I know St Johns Wort causes photosensitivity so I wonder if a goat could eat that and then get a blister on her udder since it has less hair and the sun can hit it?

Alice In TX/MO · #7 08/14/12, 01:38 PM

No problem with the milk if it's just the bubbles. Wash the udder with chlorhexadine if you think it's staph, but from your description, it's not. Staph bumps DO look like fire ant bites.

This condition (pictured) is called "weeping teats." There are small milk producing glands that are misplaced in the skin of the teats or udder. They swell up and may leak milk.

Milk blisters? - Goats

KrisD · #8 08/14/12, 02:36 PM

Hmm I can't see the picture.

CaliannG · #9 08/14/12, 02:39 PM

I can....perhaps your browser history is messing with you?

Alice In TX/MO · #10 08/14/12, 03:08 PM

Refresh.

PrettyPaisley · #11 08/14/12, 05:28 PM

Can people catch it if it if is staph ?

CaliannG · #12 08/14/12, 05:41 PM

Yes. That is why it is important to disinfect your hands, and make sure you milk her last.

Alice In TX/MO · #13 08/14/12, 05:41 PM

Yes. They can. But.... staph is everywhere in the environment. Simple handwashing is effective.

noeskimo · #14 08/14/12, 06:10 PM

If you all remember, about 2 weeks ago, I had a similar question, except that the kid of the doe involved had sores on his mouth. I was pear mouth, and she had cactus stickies that were transferred from his mouth. It is worse now, a couple other kidletts have the same , and I have seen/pulled out some cactus needles. It seems that the tunas are too tasty and they can't resist, at least the first time. The first victim is almost healed now. So PP... do you have cacti in your neck of the woods?

KrisD · #15 08/15/12, 01:10 AM

No cacti in North Carolina.

silverseeds · #16 08/15/12, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrisD

No cacti in North Carolina.

Actually the eastern prickley pear grows there. Not terribly common. One prickley pear or another is in just about in all the states.

KrisD · #17 08/15/12, 08:36 AM

Interesting in the 20 years I lived back east (in different states) I've never seen or heard of one. Thanks for the info

Alice In TX/MO · #18 08/15/12, 08:46 AM

Prickly Pear Cactus | The Nature Conservancy

North Carolina Prickly Pear:
http://www.pricklypear.net/

mrs.H · #19 08/15/12, 09:34 AM

LOL!

North Carolina Prickly Pear:
The Prickly Pear - Modern Mexican Cuisine - Mooresville, North Carolina[/QUOTE]