My jersey cow is 2 years old is a really good quality cow and I don't want to loose her she is also my "baby". She freshened in november and we milked her and let her raise her calf until March when we weaned and sold her calf. I have been milking her, and she has always been in good health. The weather had been good and then we got 2 days of rain and "Moo Jersey" started to look sick. I thought she had mastitis because her back right quarter was hot and swollen but hard not lumpy, and her milk was watery. I took a sample to the vet to be tested just in case and he gave me some stuff to squirt into her teat. She was also depressed looking and was hardly eating or drinking, had a bad fever You almost burnt your hand when you touched her ears. The vet also had me give her Banamine* . She got sick last Wensday. The vet called the next day and said she has a Staff infection and she isn't getting any better and yesterday she wouldn't get up and today her hocks and knees are swollen and hot and she can hardly walk, and now her milk looks like cottege cheese in the quarter. I called the vet back but they didn't have answers for me other than staff dosn't usually make swollen joints....I'm going to try penicillin today and hope that helps ... but I hope my cow dosn't starve to death os die of infection and fever before she gets better. Sorry my letter is so long. But ANY help would be greatly appreciaited. Thank you very much, SharRon

-- SharRon (Turnaquete@aol.com), May 21, 2001

Answers

First off, I'd be getting a different vet. Second, get him out to see the cow. Quit diagnosing over the phone and some milk samples.

Sorry to sound so harsh, but a reputable vet would want to see the animal and not keep guessing.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), May 21, 2001.

Staph is everywhere and can be normally in an udder, not causing mastitis, I would bet you have alot more than staph mastitis going on. You could have also introduced even more bacteria if this vet didn't explian to you how to infuse.

Whatever she has is now systemic. She will need IV's to keep her hydrated and massive dosages of antibiotics now to get rid of this infection. You will be very lucky to save her, let alone her milk supply. If this cow is of value load her up and take her to a vet, or pay for a farm call, and use a vet who treats dairy cattle, or dairy goats. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 21, 2001.

We would not have saved our beautiful Jersey cow without the vet coming and giving her IV's. It got the antibiotics into her system FAST and helped with the dehydration.

Time is critical to save her udder, and her life. You may still be able to save both.

keep us posted -- we know what it is to care that much about your milk cow

-- homestead2 (homestead@localnetplus.com), May 22, 2001.

Thanks everyone I'm takin her to the vet tomarrow. She is starting to go back on her feed, but thats about it.

-- SharRon (Turnaquete@aol.com), May 22, 2001.

SharRon, From what you are discribing i would guess that she has a condition known a e-coli-mastitis, or colorform mastitis, either one the symptioms are about the same. the condition is usually brought about by wet rainy weather where the animal has acess to wet bedding and laying in it or on the wet ground, also it can be brought about when you clean the shed and don't allow the substrate to dry befor allowing animals back there . symptoms are as follows, depression, hot and swolen udder part or the whole thing, wattery milk, the old timers called it coffee mastitis like weak coffee with a little cream. totally off feed and refusal to drink water, usually lasts three days after that time she will begin to drink and then eat.do not force feed as her bacteria is compromised at this point, be very careful when giving any antibiotics, and be sure and get your vets view if you think this is the case, when giving antibioicts the drug kills the bacteria but in the process the dying bacteria give off a toxin which in turn kills your cow or goat or sheep. bannamine is an excellent drug for pain and swelling as I have seen the legs and feet swell to 3 or 4 times their normal size. When I was a dairy herdsman we used oxotocin twice a day 2cc, not more if she is pregnant. and milked the affected quarter out and do not feed to anyone. usually the affected quarter will dry up and return to normal the next year, through the years I have learned to use supporative measures dextros and electlorites IV. If you have staff you have a much more difficult job ahead of you as the staff bacteria hides in the tissues of the affected quarter good luck Diane

-- Diane in Idaho (oleoranch3@aol.com), May 23, 2001.

We have three "children" as well, and know how concerning it is to have one sick. The other writers are absolutely right when they say you've got to get the vet to see her - a good one. If you have trouble finding one in your area, contact your nearest Veterinary Association. They can usually be reached through the information operator in your nearest large city. They will be able to direct you to the cow vets in your area. Where are you located, maybe we can help.

-- Peggy Wilson & Lorne Case (moonshad@cyberus.ca), May 23, 2001.

I took MooJersey to the vet and I now have her on Exenel or however it is spelled, and she is starting to look better. the swelling has gone down in her legs and the pain dosn't seem to be as bad in her udder. The vet thought see look good for what she has but he thinks her quarter is most likly not going to produce any more. But all I can do is keep working on her and pray that she will compleatly get better. Thank you to everone who wrote in. MooJersey says thank you too. I will keep everyone posted on her condition. SharRon

-- SharRon (Turnaquete@aol.com), May 24, 2001.

I Hope your cow get better, make sure it drinks water every day!

-- Joy Palmer (PlantationEgg@aol.com), July 13, 2001.

So How is She now? How did it turn out

J

-- Julian (julian_young@nl.compuware.com), September 12, 2001.