How to use ToDay to Treat Mastitis in Goats
Mastitis is a common condition among lactating goats that can be painful for the animal and will greatly affect milk production. It occurs when the udder becomes inflamed due to bacterial infection, stress on the udder or teat, injury, or other health issues. (Check my post What is Mastitis in Goats? to learn more about the causes of mastitis and how to prevent them.) When our goats are showing signs of mastitis we use a combination of natural methods and an intermammary antibiotic called ToDay. In this blog post, I will share how to use ToDay to treat Mastitis in goats.
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I am not a veterinarian, this is only an example of what we do with our animals. Please consult your vet before making any health decisions with your animals.
Our three-step system for treating mastitis
We check our goat's udders thoroughly at each milking and frequently test for mastitis using the California Mastitis Test to make sure that our goats do not have a subclinical infection in their udders. (To learn how to use the CMT check out my post How to use the California Mastitis Test for Goats) If our goats do show signs of a mastitis infection we have a three-step process for treating it.
1: In mild cases, we use warm compresses to soothe and decongest the udder/teat. We also massage the udder and milk frequently. Sometimes every couple of hours. Many times frequent milking will milk out the bacteria causing the infection.
2: If supportive care doesn't seem to work, then we turn to ToDay. ToDay can be found at your local feed store or on Amazon.
3: If ToDay doesn't seem to be working and the infection is not improving, then it is time to seek veterinary care. We've never needed to visit a veterinarian for a case of Mastitis using the methods above, but if mastitis is not treated properly, it can lead to udder amputation and even death for the animal.
How to use ToDay to treat mastitis in goats
Here are the steps to treating a goat with mastitis using ToDay:
1: Start by thoroughly cleaning the goat's udder and teats with warm soapy water. Dry the udder and teats with a clean towel.
2: Milk the goat out completely.
3: Disinfect the teat orifice with an alcohol swab. Our ToDay kit provided them.
4: Open a clean syringe and insert the tip of the syringe into the teat orifice. Slowly depress the plunger to dispense the medication. Goats should receive a half syringe per teat.
5: After administering the medication, massage the udder and teat to help distribute the medication throughout the udder.
How much ToDay should a goat receive?
Goats should receive 1/2 syringes per teat.
How often should I dose a goat with ToDay?
In most cases, ToDay is administered once a day for 3 to 5 consecutive days.
Monitor the goat closely for any signs of improvement or worsening of the mastitis. Contact your veterinarian if the goat does not show improvement within a few days or if there are any signs of systemic illness.
What is the milk withdrawal time after using ToDay?
The milk withdrawal time is 96 hours. This time frame begins after the last treatment. We do not consume the milk nor feed it to kids until after the 96 hours have passed and all signs of mastitis are cleared. We do another CMT to make sure the infection is cleared before consuming the milk.
How often should you milk a goat with mastitis?
When a goat has mastitis, it's important to continue milking her to prevent milk buildup, which can worsen the condition. However, it's also important to be gentle and careful while milking to avoid causing pain or discomfort to the goat. The frequency of milking will depend on the severity of the mastitis and the goat's individual needs.
In general, it's recommended to milk the goat at least twice a day, and more frequently if necessary. However, it's important to monitor the goat's udder and milk output and adjust the milking schedule accordingly. If the udder is very swollen or painful, it may be necessary to milk the goat more often to relieve pressure and prevent further inflammation. On the other hand, if the goat is not producing much milk or is in a lot of pain, it may be necessary to reduce the frequency of milking and focus on providing supportive care such as warm compresses and natural remedies.
Can you drink the milk from a goat with Mastitis?
There is a lot of controversy about consuming milk from a goat that has mastitis. Some say that it's fine to consume milk from a goat that tests positive for mastitis. Some say that the milk should not be consumed and the goat should be completely dried up for the season and perhaps for life. We tend to fall somewhere in the middle.
We do not consume milk from a goat with an active mastitis infection. Nor do we feed it to goat kids. However if the infection appears to be cleared and the doe is testing negative for mastitis through a CMT and it is after the withdrawal time for any medication, we consume the milk.
What is Tomorrow mastitis treatment used for?
When you go to buy ToDay treatment for your goat, you may notice that there is also a similar product called Tomorrow.
Tomorrow and ToDay are both intramammary mastitis treatments produced by Boehringer Ingelheim, but they are intended for different purposes.
Tomorrow: Tomorrow is an intramammary antibiotic treatment specifically formulated for the treatment of mastitis in dry (non-lactating) cows. It is not typically recommended for use in lactating goats or cows. Tomorrow can be used to treat mastitis infections that are lingering beyond the goat being dried off, and can also be used as a preventative for mastitis. Tomorrow is more commonly used in large dairy cow operations as a preventative than on small homesteads with dairy goats.
Both Tomorrow and ToDay contain cephapirin benzathine, an antibiotic effective against certain mastitis-causing bacteria. However, their formulations and labeled uses differ, with Tomorrow intended for dry cow/goat therapy and ToDay for lactating cows/goats.
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