Author Topic: Milk production post-mastitis (Read 3137 times)

Haylo-peapod · « **on:** December 30, 2012, 02:31:05 pm »

The mum of my little festive lamb was never supposed to go to the ram as in the previous year she had a bout of mastitis - she however had other plans and sought him out having missed out on raising any babies earlier in the year.

Anyhow I now have a question, I had assumed that due to the fibrous matter in the affected udder that she would not produce milk on that side but it appears as though she has. The milk has not however come down to the teat and, so far, I have been unable to hand strip her on that side. The lamb is suckling well on the good side and occasionally I see her briefly at the bad side but I am not convinced she gets any milk from the affected side.

I am now concerned that the ewe will get a further bout of mastitis on the bad side and already I think it is slightly warmer and firmer than the good side. I will get on to the vet first thing in the morning so I have antibiotics etc. at the ready 'just in case' but am I panicking prematurely and will the milk just get reabsorbed?

woollyval · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2012, 05:37:56 pm »

Nope....any sheep i have had in the past like this the udder swells a bit on that side but nothing comes out and nothing should go wrong....keep an eye just in case as sheep never fail to surprise!

Haylo-peapod · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2012, 06:48:57 pm »

Thanks woollyval - it's just a bit scary as I don't want the udder to slough off or for anything to happen to the ewe as with no other ewes due to lamb for another 3 months I need Mum to keep feeding baby.

shep53 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2012, 07:11:53 pm »

I would be fairly confident of no problems, occasionally a ewe gets mastitis during tupping and is never noticed until lambing, sometimes milk mostly nothing

Anke · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2012, 08:44:55 pm »

Do you know any goatkeepers nearby? Most of us will still be milking a few goats through the winter (and probably be happy to sell you some top-up milk for the lamb, as there is not such a great demand on our own farms just now). I would be inclined to get the lamb used to come for the bottle too for a top-up, just in case mum's other side doesn't produce enough and/or will go down soon.

Haylo-peapod · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2012, 05:13:40 pm »

Quote from: Anke on December 30, 2012, 08:44:55 pm

Do you know any goatkeepers nearby? Most of us will still be milking a few goats through the winter (and probably be happy to sell you some top-up milk for the lamb, as there is not such a great demand on our own farms just now). I would be inclined to get the lamb used to come for the bottle too for a top-up, just in case mum's other side doesn't produce enough and/or will go down soon.

No, I don't know of any goatkeepers in the area but I have been offering the lamb a bottle every day and so far she hasn't been interested - so at the moment I guess she is getting enough milk. I will continue to offer her extra feeds just n case Mum can't keep up as the lamb gets bigger.

I got some antibiotics and anti-inflammatories for the ewe from the vet this morning 'just in case'.