In the bovine lit. (I found several arts. on Medline about this) mastitis in
cattle is often dx when herdsmen observe clumps or clots in milk.  Infected
milk has higher amounts of free fatty acids suggesting that it is
susceptable to spontaneous and induced lipolysis.  There appears to be a
preferential increase in long chain FFAs.  Experimental (deliberately
induced) mastitis in cattle increases flow rate by 25%. Perhaps the mother
has low-grade mastitis which is increasing lipolytic action and creating a
similar phenomenon.  In past discussions on Lactnet, people working with
mothers with diagnosed, in-progress cases of mastitis have observed "debris"
in the pumped milk.

Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html