Cow stomatitis: signs and causes, methods of treatment of cattle and prevention

Inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity of cattle, especially in advanced form, adversely affect the development and performance of animals, often becoming a problem for farmers. To avoid complications, it is necessary to respond in a timely manner to the first signs and characteristic symptoms of stomatitis in a cow, exclude the presence of dangerous infections and immediately begin treatment.

Causes of stomatitis in cows

Stomatitis in cattle occurs under the influence of various factors, ranging from mechanical damage to severe infectious diseases, one of the signs of which is inflammation of the oral mucosa.

Cow stomatitis occurs for the following reasons:

abundance of roughage (poor-quality hay from sedge or weeds, spent remains of ears of cereal plants);
damage to the oral mucosa by foreign objects;
eating plants containing poisonous, irritating compounds (buttercup, spurge, fern, mustard);
getting into the oral cavity of pesticides, some medicinal substances;
consumption of spoiled food contaminated with fungal spores;
impact of thermal factors;
presence of sluggish chronic infections and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
hypovitaminosis.

Stomatitis in cattle can be a sign of foot and mouth disease, paratyphoid, hepatitis. In order to competently solve the problem, it is necessary to assess the symptoms and the presence of concomitant factors.

Signs and symptoms

The first signs of stomatitis in cows, characteristic of all forms of the disease, are a violation of chewing function and a change in eating behavior. The animal chews sluggishly, carefully, interrupting and choosing soft food. Often goes to the water. The cow champs, shakes and rubs its head against its forelimbs. Salivation increases. Saliva foams and flows out in portions.

When examining the oral cavity at the initial stage, swelling and redness of the mucosa are visible. Then bubble rashes form on the gums, the inner surface of the cheeks, and the tongue. The formation of ulcerated, erosive foci is possible. There is an unpleasant smell from the mouth, the tongue is covered with a gray coating.

FMD symptoms include aphthous inflammation, in which cows have characteristic jaw movements resembling champing.

Stomatitis, which occurs under the influence of mechanical, thermal or chemical factors, usually occurs in cattle without fever and symptoms of intoxication.Other concomitant symptoms, fever, vomiting, diarrhea are signs of infectious diseases, the result of which was stomatitis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis begins with visual inspection. Examine the animal's oral cavity, measure body temperature, evaluate the presence and severity of other symptoms. If the infectious nature of stomatitis is suspected, as well as severe forms of the disease, laboratory tests are carried out.

How to treat disease in cattle?

Before starting drug treatment, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of inflammation. Rough food should be excluded from the cow's diet, feed quality should be monitored. Hay is replaced with soft grass or dry grass treated with boiling water and cooled.The diet includes silage, boiled vegetables, talkers.

To avoid irritation of the inflamed mucosa, you need to control the temperature of the food, which should not be hot.

It is important to provide the animal with constant access to clean water. It is allowed to add a small amount of acetic or hydrochloric acid to the water. Careful attention must be paid to the cow's regular oral hygiene. To wash the mouth use:

clean water;
0.5% hydrochloric acid solution;
2% saline solution;
3% baking soda solution.

Catarrhal stomatitis requires antiseptic treatment after each feeding (up to 4 times a day). The oral cavity is irrigated with the following water dilutions:

faint pink solution of potassium permanganate;
1% boric acid solution;
furatsilina solution (1:5000);
1-3% hydrogen peroxide solution.

The presence of ulcers requires additional treatment with Lugol's solution in glycerin or glycerin-based tannin. Stomatitis of an infectious nature requires local and systemic treatment. The oral cavity is treated three times a day with a 0.15% solution of "Tripanflavin" or 1% solution of copper sulfate. Systemic drugs are prescribed depending on the manifestations of the primary disease.

Prevention of stomatitis

To prevent stomatitis in cows, it is necessary to monitor the conditions of animals and the quality of feed. Coarse hay is recommended to be pre-treated with boiling water, cooled and only then offered to cattle.

Cows should be regularly examined, he alth indicators monitored, vaccinated against common infections in a timely manner. At the first signs of illness, it is necessary to take timely measures to prevent the development of complications and the transition of the disease to a chronic form.