What to use on cows cracked tits.

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We live in the northern US were its very cold. My Jerseys tits are dry and cracking. We are putting udder balm on twice a day and it doesnt seem to be doing a whole lot. I was wondering if anybody had any other ideas they use. Thanks!

-- Tracy Lance (lance@nvc.net), February 22, 2001

Answers

Tracy I'd like to offer a word of caution. Don't put anything on your cows teats(I call em tits too...lol) or udder if it is going to get down around 25 or below. We have several cows that have frostbite because someone forgot and used teat dip. Someone on another thread suggested warmed olive oil....never used it myself but it might work. Bag balm is usually really good. You need to massage it in for it to work its best. Has this developed recently? The reason I ask is some cows are just going to have rough scaly teats no matter what. Don't know why but that's the way it is. You might want to keep her in the barn for a couple of days so that her teats aren't exposed to wind, cold and damp. This should help....then keep putting on udder balm at every milking where it isn't too cold and you may be able to keep ahead of the game. Oh and also just use the udder balm that comes in the green tin and is sort of the consistency of carmex lip balm. I saw some at wal-mart once that is more of a cream and I think it is just hand cream(lots of folks use bag balm on their hands so they decided to market hand cream under a new name...lol). You also might try some vitamin E oil....can't hurt and it is good stuff.

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), February 22, 2001.

Tracy, try "Lansinoh" it is 100% pure lanolin for nursing mothers. I used it and tried it on my cow and it is WONDERFUL! One application and the teats are as soft as butter the next milking. It is very greasy and thick but if you work it in real good they just stand there and love it. I only apply it once a day as needed, usually it keeps working for about three days. I think I bought it in a health food store but it was a while ago. Good Luck! Cara Lewis cnllewis@email.com

-- cara lewis (cnllewis@email.com), February 22, 2001.

Make sure the Bag Balm is the stuff in the old fashioned green tin. The other stuff at Walmart comes in a cutesy Holstien-spotted plastic jar, and isn't worth much, in my estimation. The good stuff can be found in the pet section. Try it on YOUR cuts and cracked skin--esp. good for sore heels; slather it on, and put on old clean cotton socks, before you go to bed. Takes the soreness right out, and helps heal the cracks.

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), February 22, 2001.

Bag Balm.

-- Lynn(MO) (mscratch1@semo.net), February 22, 2001.

Bag balm is wonderful, but i agree it needs to be massaged into the bag and teats. My neices call it my magic or special medicine. I know that warm oil olive is great too, but keep her in for a couple of days to let this work. Lanolin based products are great for moisturizing and softening. Lots of options! Perhaps she is being turned out with her bag and teats still wet. The cold will then make her teats cracked and sore. Good luck to you. Spring will be here soon.

-- Shau Marie (shau@centurytel.net), February 23, 2001.


My mother used to use a real foul smelling salve on just about all skin conditions both human and animal,when we were young. When I started working in a plant that processed sandpaper, my hands would get really dry and cracked. I asked her what it was and she told me Watkins Petro-Carbolic salve. I spent quite a while trying to locate some. I tried the PC salve and it worked so well that I became a dealer. You might try this product in this situation. If I can assist in any other way, just ask.

-- John Getson (jggetson@auracom.com), February 24, 2001.

First, be sure that the balm you are using is made with beeswax and NOT parafin. Some animals are alergic to the petrolium. Always use a little GENTLE soap to wash, both before and after milking.

DO NOT USE AN ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP!!!!!!!!!

First, there is no reason, despite what the package says. Second, it is too harsh for use on an udder!! Leave the antibacterial soaps for cleaning the utensils and ALWAYS wear gloves!! Studies are being conducted on the safety of such products because of severe skin reactions in people.

If all else fails:

Try making your own salve. Simply melt down the balm (it DOES have great stuff in it!) add a cup of olive oil, an ounce of beeswax. When everything is liquid, throw in a cotton bag filled with comfrey root, oatmeal, calendula flowers and let steep for about 20 minutes. Pour into a jar and let cool.

I make a similar version of this which I wish I could sell, but don't have a market for. Its too greasy for people (Has more oil than wax, but will put same colored hair on a barbed-wire-fence abrasion in less than two weeks - no scarring!)

If you need that... I will send you some (no charge, of course) if you email me.

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), February 28, 2001.


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