Clots in milk after freshening, with PICS

[zephyrhillsusan]

Hey, all, I know a lot of you don't milk, but some of you do milk newly freshened cows when needed, and a few of you milk regularly.  Here's a link to a post I did on KFC a while ago.

If any of you have input on the answers to my questions, that would be wonderful.  If others have not milked yet, perhaps any answers I get will be helpful to you, too.  I didn't milk my first freshener until 2 months in, and she wasn't that high producing, so this is all new territory to me.

Thank you for any input!

[legendrockranch]

Susan, wish I could be of some help. I think they gave you some good advise on the KFC board. Of coarse I personally know Melissa, she has a lot of experience and is a take charge type of person.
Talk to your vet about possibly using Oxytocin for milk let down, to see how she clears out. I do want to preface I am not a normal milker, which is why I say talk with you yet about the possible use of it.

Best of luck, and sorry your having to go through all of this. Tell Ebony to be a good girl and let mom relax some.

[zephyrhillsusan]

Thanks, Barb! I shut the calf up for two hours this afternoon, then let her on to help with let down. I kept her off the teat she wanted to nurse most and made her do the other three. She nursed, then I milked what I could get, and when I let them out she nursed again. I guess I'll keep on with that for now. Unfortunately my vet is out of oxytocin, but hopefully will have some by the end of the week so I could at least see if I'm getting everything without it.

I did feel assured after the replies on KFC that the clots are normal, which was a big help! Melissa is a good resource, as well as several others that replied. Ebony was a VERY good girl tonight, no pooping or peeing and very still in the stanchion. I gave her chaffed hay, and I think she liked it and it kept her busy.

[legendrockranch]

Well I'm sighing with some relief, hope you are also.

Barb

[Fran]

Wish I could help you out, but I haven't milked anyone yet... well, other than just occasionally milking a little out of Sassy just for kicks. She could care less, don't even have to tie her up. I could probably put a saddle on her and ride her, she's that easy! Here's hoping that things go much, much better for you, Ebony and Tiggy!!!!