Daisy's "Business" End

As mentioned in yesterday's post, we've been monitoring Daisy since drying her off as she was showing one of the symptoms of mastitis - a small yellowish clump caught in the filter we milk through.  This Publication showed some of the other symptoms of mastitis:

• Hard, swelling, hot, painful udder,  
• A clot in the milk,
• Reduction in milk production,
• Increase in body temperature, 
• Lack of appetite,
• Sunken eyes,
• Diarrhea & dehydration

We have checked Daisy for most of the other symptoms and so far, the only issue is the small clot of yellow 'gunk.'  We want to watch this closely, though, and so we are paying close attention to the other items on the above list.  Up to this point we had no means to take the cows' temperature.  Tricia remedied that situation by purchasing a regular 'human' thermometer with one added option.

A string is tied to the thermometer as a cow's temperature is taken rectally.  You don't want to "lose" the thermometer inside the cow's rectum.  If you did, you could always pull the string and retrieve it. There is another more important reason for tying the string to the thermometer, at least to us: You don't want to confuse the cow thermometer with the human thermometers in our house!!

A looped string attached to the digital cow thermometer

The cow's tail is lifted and the thermometer inserted into the rectum.  Daisy didn't like this, and I don't blame her.  She moved from side to side and tried to swish at us with her tail.  When that didn't work, she pooped.  A 'shade-tree' vet must be vigilant, however, for this type thing and be persistent.

Daisy's business end

The numbers started climbing as we waited patiently...

And it finally settled at 100.5.  This was taken in the morning.

Merck Vet Manual showed that the normal temperature range for a Dairy Cow is highlighted on the table below and runs between 100.4 - 102.8.  So far so good!

We took her temperature again in the evening and it was 101.9.  A little higher, but nothing to be concerned about as it is still within the acceptable range.  Besides, it is best to take the cow's temperature at the same time each day in order to get a more consistent reading in order to set a baseline of her normal temperature.  We will continue to watch Daisy, and I'm sure she's going to be just fine.  She is really in good condition and in two months, if the Good Lord's willing, she'll deliver a healthy calf - hopefully a heifer!