Ewe with hard udder

[farmer92]

Got a ewe who’s not doing very well today, one side of the udder is much bigger compared to the other side. Caught her to investigate suspecting mastitis but it’s cold to the touch, just very hard. Tried milking some out of the teat on the hard side and she’s got plenty of milk, coming out like a waterfall! She’s got twins and I’ve seen them both suckling but I’m just confused as to what it could be? Maybe she had mastitis at the end of last year and I just didn’t notice? Any advice appreciated thanks!!

 

[Spartacus]

Black quarter, jab with antibiotics and anti inflammatory. Will probably burst if two lambs are hammering it looking for milk from one side.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Black quarter, jab with antibiotics and anti inflammatory. Will probably burst if two lambs are hammering it looking for milk from one side.

I agree 100%

I'd pen her with one lamb in an adjoining pen. Pop it in 4 times a day to feed & supervise it. Hand rear the other lamb.

Treat her with antibiotics & pain releif for at least 5 days.

In 10 to 14 days you could turn her back out with one lamb, but keep her away from breeding ewes for at least a month.

Sorry good luck it is a horrible problem but spreads very easily.

 

[An ancient git]

Bring them in to sort . Draxxin , plus Metacam . Draxxin is dear , but works great and worth the cost , plus lasts for about 9 days without rejabbing ......

 

[farmer92]

Thanks everyone, will follow advice and treat accordingly yes not nice, hopefully get her back to full health soon

 

[Longlowdog]

Go online and buy a small bottle of California Mastitis Test Solution and you'll never wonder about your decisions again. It's dirt cheap, dead easy to use and does what it says on the tin. Kits with everything are less than 20 quid on Fleabay.
Treatment wise my vet said a few years ago that he considered oxytet' LA to be as good as anything short of Micotyl and it appears to be true. A single jag in ewes caught before black bag does appear to knock mastitis on the head. It doesn't save quarters but I don't think anything does. Oxytet' is licensed for sheep and doesn't have a massive withdrawal period and a bottle is about the price of a single dose of other med's dispensed singly by a vet.