Blisters on teats

[PotterWatch]

I was milking our new Jersey cow this evening. We have had her a week as of tomorrow. The first milking I did (I am part of a herd share where we all have a certain day and time to milk), was the first time she had ever been milked by hand. Her back teats are very close together and we noticed that they had some scabs and irritated spots. We assumed the damage had been caused by the milking machine since her teats aren't spaced properly for a milking machine.. probably why the dairy picked her to give to us. Everyone has been putting bag balm on her after every milking to help her heal up. This evening, however I noticed that the scabs appear to be blisters, not just scabs. Towards the end of the milking I realized that one of her front teats has some small white blisters on it as well. They looked like drops of milk so I didn't realize at first that they were blisters. Her front teats don't seem sore at all but her back teats are very, very sensitive. Any idea what it might be? Do we need to suspend drinking her milk until we get it cleared up? I have told my husband we aren't going to drink what I brought home tonight until I do a little research to find out what might be causing her blisters.

ETA: She is eating and drinking fine. Doesn't seem to be in any discomfort other than her back teats being sore/sensitive. No drooling or evidence of blisters elsewhere.

 

[redhen]

Sounds like she has an infection of some sort... have you called a vet?

 

[PotterWatch]

Haven't called a vet at this point. I'll try to get a couple pictures when I am there today.

 

[andalusn]

If it does not look better today when you visit (hopefully early) and possibly worse the best course is to call a vet. Besides treatment they educate you the caregiver which is worth every penny. It's a Saturday and most clinics are open as regular business and not after hours. Taking pics to post on line just makes the cow wait and possibly suffer when she could be getting relief.

 

[PotterWatch]

Thanks but it isn't my call to make. The farmer is the one who will call out a vet if it is necessary. At this point, I wouldn't say the cow is suffering. Her back teats are sore but she is showing no other signs of distress as I said in my first post. I will bring it to the farmer's attention today and hopefully he will know what to do though he doesn't have much experience with dairy cows.

 

[EweSheep]

Either it is blisters or serious infection going on. Hope the farmer knows what it is.