Symptoms and treatment of udder warts in a cow, prevention
The appearance of warts in a cow on the udder is associated with the penetration of a viral agent into the epithelium, causing cell proliferation in the form of warts (papillomas). The disease is more likely to affect young cows up to two years of age. The course of the disease can be benign or malignant. The best results are obtained with complex therapy with novocaine and vitamins. Surgical treatment is possible.
Causes of the problem
The main reason is the penetration of the papilloma virus into small cracks and wounds of the skin. In mature cows with a high immune status, penetration of the virus rarely causes aapillomatosis. The manifestation of the disease is facilitated by factors that, in general, adversely affect the condition of the animals:
- improper diet;
- poor conditions for keeping cows, dirty rooms, feeders and drinking bowls, lack of ventilation;
- wounding of the skin with branches, thorns of grass during walking.
- non-observance of hygiene measures during milking, incorrect, traumatic installation of the milking machine, dry nipple skin;
- infection from animal carriers, which are nearby during the containment, and people carrying the virus from among the maintenance personnel.
The main symptoms
Symptoms and manifestations can be benign or malignant. With a benign course, leathery growths or crusted growths - warts appear on the skin of the udder, nipples, face or stomach. The inner part of the growths is made up of dead epithelial cells and the waste products of the virus. In shape, warts can be raised or on a stalk, in size from a pea to a medium-sized plum, single or multiple.
If at this stage measures are taken to improve the maintenance of animals and increase immunity, then after 2-4 months the papillomas will dry out and disappear without a trace.
In a malignant course of the disease, in a short period (up to 6 months), there is a significant growth of warts, their fusion, they cause inconvenience to the cow and the calf, subsequently they can come off the base, bleed and fester. Compression of blood vessels occurs, a viral infection spreads with the blood stream to all tissues and organs. Other options for a malignant course:
- the growth of warts inside the canal of the mammary gland, its compression, the appearance of mastitis and inflammation of the ducts;
- the appearance of papillomas in the internal organs, disruption of their work, up to a lethal outcome.
Diagnostic measures
On large farms, where many cattle are kept at the same time, the diagnosis of the papillomatosis virus is carried out without waiting for the signs of warts on the skin - in a planned manner. A blood test helps to identify the DNA of the virus and antibodies to it. In small farms, blood tests from cows are done when it is necessary to make a correct diagnosis.
Rules for the treatment of warts in cows on the udder
When the first signs of warts growth are detected, the cows are isolated from the main herd, vitamin therapy and balanced feed are prescribed. It is necessary to constantly monitor the development of the disease.
Surgery
It is advisable to remove warts if they are solitary, located in uncomfortable places of forced contact with milking equipment or other parts of the body, and prevent the calf from sucking milk. In all other cases, treatment begins with drug therapy and, if it does not work, resort to a scalpel.
In the initial phases of the disease, the constriction of the papilloma with the help of cow or horse hair is effective in a mild degree. After a while, the build-up dries up and disappears.
In settlements with developed veterinary care, the removal of warts can be carried out in a veterinary clinic using liquid nitrogen.
Medication
Treatment with drugs is reduced to their following use:
- subcutaneous or intradermal;
- intramuscular;
- intravenous;
- with drinking water or feed;
- outwardly, in the form of ointments and applications.
Papillomatosis is easier to cure if medications are used in combination. For the treatment of warts, magnesia is used inside at a dosage of 30 grams, the duration of the course of treatment is 10 days. Good results are shown by intravenous infusions with novocaine, 80 milliliters of a 1% solution four times. The drug "ASD" is injected subcutaneously in a mixture with "Tetravit". A 2% solution of novocaine can be injected into the base of the papilloma.
For external use use: "Papillomacid" (solution), sulfur-salicylic, interferon, oxolinic ointments - apply separately or in combination to the affected area 4-5 times a day. The course of treatment is 1-2 weeks.
Vitamin complexes
Increasing the body's immunity contributes to resistance to the penetration and development of viruses. Vitamin complexes normalize metabolism and energy metabolism in cells, saturate them with oxygen, improve the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system.
Interferon preparations are effective. It is a substance that inactivates a disease-causing agent in the body. With the rapid development of the disease, its own interferon does not have time to be produced, therefore, the introduction of ready-made interferon significantly helps to cope. In cases where the skin under the warts dries, cracks, and then suppuration and the addition of a bacterial infection appear, complex injections with antibiotics are effective.
Using folk remedies
Application of natural ingredients in some cases can be effective for the treatment of warts.
Mix of onions and wax
Onions contain a complex of phytoncides, and wax dries out growths. This mixture helps remove warts and can be used in conjunction with medication.
Onions are pre-fried in vegetable oil until golden brown. Let it stand for a while, so that it gives away valuable substances more fully. Then the onion is removed, the oil is heated again, 25 g of wax is added with stirring, the mixture is brought to a boil, cooled.Applied by lubricating the affected areas of the skin 1-2 times a day. The course of treatment is 12-14 days.
Curd whey
Biologically active substances of curd whey can treat papillomatosis in a few weeks. The serum is sterilized, the udder and nipples are washed with it 2-4 times a day.
Decoction of potatoes
Potato peel and sprouts contain a complex of physiologically active substances, vitamins, and minerals. Potato broth helps to remove papillomas on the udder of cows. Potatoes are washed, peeled, cleaned together with sprouts, poured with water and put on fire, brought to a boil and boiled for 10-15 minutes. The broth should turn dark. The liquid is cooled, used for washing the udders of cows 3-4 times a day.
Garlic mixture
The active ingredients of garlic are effective when mixed with animal fats. For its preparation, pork fat is preliminarily melted. Several cloves of garlic are finely crushed and evenly mixed with lard. The mixture is smeared with warts on the udder 1-2 times a day. Leave for 30-40 minutes, then wash off with warm water, wipe dry with a clean towel.
Prevention
The prevention of papillomatosis is to increase the immunity of cows. Stalls, milking equipment must be kept clean, and the litter must be changed daily. If there are many animals on the farm, it is important to comply with the standards for the area of their keeping and avoid crowding. During the summer, animals must be in the sun for several hours a day.
Treating udder warts in cows requires patience. In the absence of a persistent effect, one combination of funds is transferred to others. In young cows, after calving, self-healing is possible.
