Symptoms of mastitis in cows, home treatment and prevention

The reason it is customary to keep cows is to regularly receive milk. A decrease in milk yield, a deterioration in product quality, and a change in the general condition of the cow may indicate the development of mastitis. This is a serious disease that must be treated correctly and in a timely manner. The disease is especially susceptible to cows undergoing an adaptation period after calving.

The main causes of mastitis in a cow

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland in a cow. The udder increases in size, ulcers form on the surface of the udder. The cow is in pain, in some animals the body temperature rises, behavior changes, and health deteriorates significantly. Treatable forms of mastitis affect a quarter of the udder. At the same time, the lobe that is not covered with ulcers, is not enlarged or inflamed, produces normal milk.

Bacteriological

More than 85 percent of the causes of mastitis are based on the spread of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, parasites. Factors that lead to the development of mastitis:

• poisoning with poor quality feed;
• the ingress of litter into feed, mixing feces and feed;
• violation of sanitary and hygienic standards when keeping animals;
• lack of care for the cow after calving.

Mechanical

Udder injuries occur when the milking technique is violated. In addition, the group of mechanical causes includes the appearance of abrasions, scratches, horsefly bites and parasitic insects on the udder.

Physiological

Decreased immunity is one of the causes of sickness in cows. Poor housing conditions after calving, which do not allow the cow to recover quickly, lead to the formation of physiological prerequisites for the development of mastitis.

Physiological reasons can be diet errors. Lack of vitamins and minerals, monotonous food and a minimum amount of drinking lead to a decrease in immune mechanisms. The group of physiological reasons includes disturbances in the milking process.

Improper grip of the teat, lack of udder hygiene, the use of dishes that touch the udder during milking, lead to the development of discomfort that can provoke a disease.

Chemical

Treating an animal for a symptomatic disease can lead to the development of mastitis. This is due to improper selection of drugs or drug overdose. The accumulation of various chemical elements in the body leads to a decrease in protective barriers. In the presence of a third-party provoking factor, mastitis develops in 2-3 days.

Thermal

Mastitis develops due to the constant stay of the animal in a room with a low temperature. The risk of developing the disease increases during drafts in hot weather.

Symptoms and types of disease

Pathology is classified according to its main features. A clear separation of symptoms allows the use of targeted drugs for treatment.

Catarrhal

The catarrhal form of the disease affects cows during the milking period. Signs:

• the appearance of nodes near the nipple on the udder by the fifth day of inflammation;
• a watery dirty secret is mixed with milk;
• milk becomes lean;
• flakes fall out with milk.

Information! Catarrhal form is formed on one of the lobes of the udder.

Subclinical

The subclinical type breast is characterized by an asymptomatic course. Deterioration in milk quality is determined by biological clinical analysis.

At the initial stage, there are no symptoms, but with the development of the disease, significant swelling of the udder occurs. Veins stand out on the entire surface of the udder, the body temperature of this part of the body rises.

Chronic

The chronic form of mastitis develops against the background of an unhealed inflammatory process. It is difficult to diagnose it in a timely manner due to the lack of severe symptoms. One of the signs may be the presence of a hot udder on the cow during milking.

Serous (clinical), acute serous

This type of mastitis develops after the first calving. It becomes the result of improper milking or injury to the udder.

Symptoms:

• flake sediment;
• swelling and redness of part of the udder;
• enlargement of the lymph nodes located above the udder.

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Reference! Serous mastitis is characterized by the appearance of bluish milk.

Fibrous

The fibrous form often becomes a continuation of the catarrhal form. In the tissues of cattle with fibrous inflammation, an increased amount of fibrin begins to be produced. This process leads to destruction of tissue structure and subsequent necrosis. Main features:

• decrease in the amount of milk;
• discharge of pus from the udder;
• increased body temperature;
• hot udder syndrome.

Colimastitis

A complex form that does not lend itself to therapy. Signs:

• cessation of lactation;
• a sharp increase in temperature (up to 42 degrees);
• weight loss, dehydration.

Purulent

The purulent form leads to complications. Symptoms:

• redness of the udder, the appearance of nodes;
• discharge of pus;
• separation and fall of flakes.

Purulent clots are actively formed if the cow chills the udder.

Purulent catarrhal

A complex form of purulent mastitis, which is expressed by the appearance of pus in the milk. When milking, pus clogs the milk ducts, interferes with the excretion of milk.

Hemorrhagic

The hemorrhagic form develops on the basis of serous or catarrhal inflammation of the udder. Signs:

• the appearance of blood in milk;
• watery milk;
• sediment settling;
• swelling, increase in udder temperature.

Gangrenous

The shape designation indicates that a quarter or third of the udder is to be removed. Udder necrosis develops rapidly, the surface loses sensitivity, the veins increase in size.

Diagnostics

There are several options with which you can determine the presence of the disease.In addition to external signs, veterinarians are guided by clinical trials when making a diagnosis.

Diagnosis of mastitis in cows is ongoing. This is due to the fact that the latent forms of the disease are difficult to determine by their appearance. The optimal time for diagnostics is the dry period. During the dead wood, the diagnosis is carried out twice:

• at an early stage of dead wood;
• 10-15 days before calving.

A healthy cow is distinguished by the presence of an increased amount of secretion at an early stage. It has a gray-white tint. There are no flakes at all. The second analysis indicates a decrease in secretion to 3-5 milliliters. It acquires a yellowish brown tint, is characterized by high viscosity and ductility.

After calving, the risk of developing mastitis increases. At startup, it is recommended to gradually monitor the condition of the udder so as not to miss the first possible signs of violations. Start-up refers to the period when the cow is milked after calving. During this time, healthy milk remains thin, watery, but free of impurities. In the second month of launch, after burnt milk, a secret of a golden hue is released from the udder, which looks like liquid honey. If this does not happen, then the cow is probably sick.

Reference! Colostrum is secreted from the nipples for the first 5 or 7 days.

Treatment of mastitis in cows

Pathologists have developed special treatment regimens for each form. These include the use of targeted drugs and procedures to alleviate the general condition.

The principles of complex therapy:

• the development of the disease cannot be ignored;
• the glands should not be completely emptied of the secretion;
• at the initial stage, attempts must be made to do without antibiotics;
• feed with increased juiciness should be removed from the diet;
• when using serious drug therapy, it is necessary to connect cardiac and tonic drugs;
• the cow should be milked every 4 or 5 hours;
• ointments, lotions or compresses used should have room temperature, comfortable for the animal;
• syringes and catheters must be disposable;
• in the absence of formations on the udder, a simple massage is recommended to remove the seals.

Antibiotics

Treatment with bicillin-based antibiotics begins when the disease is complicated by a deterioration in the general condition.

Combined treatment drugs:

1. "Maximax". Antimicrobial agent that is produced in a syringe dispenser.
2. Benstrep. A two-component medicine that suppresses the spread of gram-positive bacteria.
3. "Penmicin". The drug is prescribed to eliminate pathogens, but it does not help with the development of the fungus.
4. Doreen. Antimicrobial agent that can relieve the symptoms of mastitis in 2 days, subject to adherence to the regimen.

Compresses and lotions are made with local antibiotics. Ichthyol ointment is used as an antimicrobial and warming agent. It helps to dissolve lumps formed due to blockages in the ducts.

In addition to it, Vishnevsky ointment or heparin ointment is used. The drugs help improve blood flow, distribute congestion and improve tissue health.

Folk remedies

Experienced farmers are able to cure mastitis in cows at home using available tools. Alternative, traditional methods can quickly and effectively improve the condition of the animal.

Effective methods:

1. Clay applications. A decoction of nettle is mixed with white clay. The resulting mixture is applied to the udder, then washed with a warm decoction of plantain.
2. Garlic tincture. The concentrated alcohol-garlic tincture is diluted with water and injected into the udder twice daily through the teat canal.
3. Vegetable compresses. Cabbage leaves or grated carrots are applied to the udder, tied up, and left for 30 minutes.
4. Rubbing with laundry soap. Rubbing the udder with laundry soap leads to the resorption of the formations. At the same time, the soap produces antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect.
5. Treatment with ointment. For cooking, take part of the lard and part of the dried flowers of calendula. The flowers are ground until dust forms, mixed with lard. The nipples are rubbed with the resulting ointment, then washed with warm water.

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Prevention

Preventive measures, according to farmers, help to avoid mastitis. Curing inflammation is much more difficult than adhering to rules when planning and caring for cattle.

Main preventive measures:

1. Each milking begins with wiping or washing the udder. The introduction of bacteria into milk leads to a deterioration in product quality. In addition, bacteria can get inside the nipple, provoking inflammation.
2. Udder washing is carried out using warm water. This helps to avoid the development of thermal factors that provoke inflammation. After washing, wipe the entire surface with a dry warm cloth.
3. Visible wounds, abrasions or scratches on the udder that the cow received during the walking process are treated with hydrogen peroxide or iodine to avoid irritation.
4. After detecting dryness or cracked nipples, they are regularly treated with moisturizers. To do this, use a nourishing baby cream.

The complex of preventive measures includes the following points:

• daily walking;
• regular examination of the animal, timely therapeutic assistance;
• adding enzymes, vitamins, probiotics to the diet;
• compliance with safety measures at the hotel;
• joint stay of a cow and a calf in the first days after calving;
• use of modern milking machines.

The group of preventive measures includes compliance with the rules of maintenance. Rooms for cows must be clean and light. Surface cleaning of stalls is carried out daily. General cleaning is done weekly. Old drinkers or feeding devices require timely replacement. In winter, it is necessary to maintain an optimal level of temperature and humidity indoors.

Vaccination is a way to keep the cow healthy and reduce the risk of mastitis. For cows, one of two vaccination schemes is used:

1. 3: 3: 3. This is a method when all livestock are vaccinated. The vaccination is repeated after 3 weeks, then after 3 months.
2. Classic scheme. The first vaccine is given 45 days before the expected calving. The second vaccine is administered 35 days after offspring. The cow is vaccinated for the third time 62 days after the second vaccination.

Startvac is a popular mastitis vaccine that has shown good results. The vaccine consists of inactivated strains and an adjuvant. Vaccination prevents up to 90 percent of cases of subclinical and clinical mastitis.

Can I drink milk from sick animals?

The milk product during the development of inflammation was called "mastitis milk". The use of this product is prohibited. From the very beginning of the disease, somatic cells develop in the milk. The increased number of cells makes milk harmful to human health.

Taking mastitis milk leads to the following consequences:

• diarrhea;
• nausea, vomiting;
• tonsillitis, other infections caused by streptococcus.

The presence of harmful microorganisms in milk can provoke a decrease in immune qualities and a deterioration in general well-being.

Spoiled milk has a foreign, unpleasant odor.Precipitation forms at the bottom. When heated, the milk curdles, the taste differs from the normal product. Homemade mastitis milk often contains impurities of pus or blood.

After the animal has recovered, it must take several weeks before the milk is ready for consumption. During this time, the number of somatic cells is stabilized, as well as the chemical composition is normalized, and the fat content is adjusted.