Dripping milk but not pregnant???

[mollymurphy]

Dolly has always had milk in the 3 years we've known / owned her, but the other day it was literally dripping out of her! We know she's had at least one foal before (well, vet and judges reckon so by looking at her lady bits!

), but why has she never dried up?

A stallion escaped one night a year ago and we found them grazing together the next morning,

but pregnancy test and internal exam were both negative (vet also checked ovaries for tumour, but found nothing). She also went on a 3 week course of regumate, which sorted out her mood, but not the milk.

Does anyone have any ideas? Is there anything to worry about?

Thanks in advance!

Lou. x

 

[miller]

OH's mare did this last year just after we brought them home - spoke to vet and he said not to worry unless she started showing mastitis type symptoms. Tunrs out when she was turned away she had been turned out with a just weaned foal and decided she was mum!

 

[XmisshorsestyleX]

My mare has exactly the same, I was worried that it was mastitis but running milk was her only symptom..

If your vet isnt worried and uve had him up to check her then I really wouldnt worry, unless she shows any signs of discomfort in the future.. Just keep an eye on it! xx

 

[llewyn]

My mare come to milk then got mastitis the vet thought she got it because of my 2 year old who tried to suckle off her. She was put on antibiotics put my 2 year old in a different field & all was good after 2 weeks or so

 

[mollymurphy]

Ahhh right, that sounds positive then! Thank you all. She's about 8 years old, and the youngest horse on the yard (apart from a 4 year old, but they have nothing to do with each other), so she shouldn't be feeling broody for any reason.

But just in case, what are the symptoms of mastitis?

 

[_daisy_]

my mare is still producing milk (shes been seperated 13wks from Willow). She did dry up but a few weeks ago a new mare appeared in the field above hers and it has brought her back into season and shes started producing milk again. Im hoping she doesnt start with mastitis as she got it just before she foaled! Her bag was large, swollen, hard, hot and she was exceptionally tender.

Have you tried epsom salts? or get in touch with your vets. Ive been given a course of drugs for 5 days to dry her up.

 

[miller]

Mastitis - teats/bag will swell and become hot, hard and uncomfortable, if not treated with antibiotics will swell as a lump in front of udder along the veins under her belly - OH's mare had a lump about 12 inches long, 5 inches wide and an inch deep up towards her girth within 12 hrs the 2nd time she got it. The first time was hot and swollen udder.

Treatment is antibiotics - we now have an antibiotic jab and course at home so we can catch it quickly.

Oh, mare will not want you touching udder but it can help relieve it if they will allow you to milk them - ours never has allowed it

 

[EquestrianFairy]

LOL- when my mare started dripping milk she unexpectdly popped out a filly 24 hours later so im best not to give any advice!!

Healthy as can be though- no supplements or anything and shes cracking!! (obv, being a suprise must be a good way to have foals nowadays!)