Hard slow quarters

[William Mellor]

Does anyone have any problems with cows that suddenly develop hard slow milking quarters? I have currently 4 cows milking of which 2 have suddenly developed a hard slow milking quarter. The 2 others have had a hard slow milking quarter for the last 12 months and both those 2 have had a calf since and had dry cow tubes with teat sealant.
Check each of the 4 cows infected quarters for mastitis and with a California milk tester and doesn't seem to be a problem neither does their cell counts as 3 of the 4 are below 200scc. It is a different quarter with each cow so perhaps could rule out milking machine but is booked to be tester this next coming month. Is there a cure or anything I can do, tried rubbing with udder mint and am at my wits end as taking half an hour to milk each effect cow out properly and slowing me down milking

 

[jade35]

Does anyone have any problems with cows that suddenly develop hard slow milking quarters? I have currently 4 cows milking of which 2 have suddenly developed a hard slow milking quarter. The 2 others have had a hard slow milking quarter for the last 12 months and both those 2 have had a calf since and had dry cow tubes with teat sealant.
Check each of the 4 cows infected quarters for mastitis and with a California milk tester and doesn't seem to be a problem neither does their cell counts as 3 of the 4 are below 200scc. It is a different quarter with each cow so perhaps could rule out milking machine but is booked to be tester this next coming month. Is there a cure or anything I can do, tried rubbing with udder mint and am at my wits end as taking half an hour to milk each effect cow out properly and slowing me down milking

Black spot? but they generally get worse with that Any teat end damage?

 

[William Mellor]

Black spot? but they generally get worse with that Any teat end damage?

Not from what I've seen, no visable damage or change from the other quarters. One does feel odd when trying to be drawn out compared to the others.

 

[William Mellor]

Had a good close look tonight and one recent case did have a small black spots on the teat end. Did wonder if I could try and dry off the infected quarter and milk as a 3 quartered if there's no cure

 

[Cows 'n grass]

I think that's your best bet with blackspot. If you persevere milking them slowly they always get mastitis any more than likely you'll loose the quarter. If you dry it off now you loose the quarter for the lactation but it should by fine by next lactation.

 

[William Mellor]

I think that's your best bet with blackspot. If you persevere milking them slowly they always get mastitis any more than likely you'll loose the quarter. If you dry it off now you loose the quarter for the lactation but it should by fine by next lactation.

Right thanks for the advice, it's a pain milking them out, I am quite thankful that 2 of the 4 like coming in either the first or second side with just means I get both first sides in before I start milking and stick the clusters on those 2 first and while they get going wipe the others. But the other 2 are a complete pain in the ar**e. Think I must only be gaining an extra 3 or 4 litres off each cow milking each infected quarter out so seems to make sence drying each infected quarter off

 

[jade35]

May be worth speaking to your vet about the one with blackspot. We have used Fucidin cream in the past on the spots. Stoppingt milking that quarter is probably the best option though.

Googling came up with the following on blackspot-
http://milkquality.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/addressing-teat-condition-problems.pdf interesting article but page 11 for Blackspot
and
http://farmingforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?7595-advise-please-dairy-people (you may recognise some familiar names)

 

[bovine]

We have used Fucidin cream in the past on the spots.

Not in a food producing animal, I hope!!!! :O

 

[William Mellor]

The cow that I noticed had the black spot on the end of her teat would barely draw out this morning never mind milk out so will have to see to night. Must be painful for her as she would barely stand still

 

[jade35]

Not in a food producing animal, I hope!!!! :O

No, should have mentioned that milk not for human consumption and follow vets advice.

 

[William Mellor]

Does this look like black spot
First photo of one cow and the second of another and the third of how inflamed the quarter has become

 

[jade35]

Looks more like bruising but @bovine will be able to say more accurately.

Google brought up this picture for black spot, Which looks pretty typical although I have not seen it that close up. Note the circle of teat end damage/growth of lesion. The other scarring /red marks are secondary to the black spot

Black spot lesion on the teat of a cow. By permission from Blowey RW, Weaver AD, Diseases and Disorders of Cattle, Mosby, 1997

 

[bovine]

That looks more like pigment to me. it it hard and painful when touched?

 

[William Mellor]

That looks more like pigment to me. it it hard and painful when touched?

It is crust and must be causing some pain as she won't let you draw it out but will stand while she is milked