Blood in cow milk: why and what is the reason, what to do for treatment

The owners of dairy cows need to know a lot about keeping animals, proper feeding, what diseases they can have, and what the admixture of blood in a cow's milk may indicate. If this symptom has been noticed, its degree and nature should be assessed, the possible cause of the occurrence according to the signs that will be listed below, and urgent medical measures should be taken.

Causes and treatment of the problem

The causes of blood in the milk of a cow can occur due to mechanical, physical damage or the development of diseases. All conditions other than mild injuries require veterinary advice and urgent treatment.

You can notice this sign immediately, by the color of the milk substance in red-pink color or after aging in the refrigerator. Milk with blood separates into fractions, while normal milk does not separate.

Mastitis

The development of mastitis (inflammation of the glandular tissue) is always associated with congestion in the udder and the presence of infections. The disease often develops after calving, when the cow is difficult to milk, her immunity is reduced, and the calf does not suck out the colostrum completely. The skin of the nipples dries out, the cracks appearing are the gates of infection.

But it happens that mastitis develops before calving when an incorrect start is made (reduction of milk supply before increasing milk production).

Manifestations of the disease can be overt or covert. In the absence of help or improper treatment, the disease worsens, and the stage of catarrhal phenomena is replaced by serous, then fibrous.Blood admixture in milk with mastitis indicates an unfavorable course and the development of a hemorrhagic form. The animal is in a depressed state, the body temperature is increased to 41-42 degrees, the udder is painful, seals are felt in it. The presence of blood in the form of clots and the analysis of milk for bacteria confirm the diagnosis.

In case of hemorrhagic mastitis, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, the cow is soldered with infusions of herbs (shepherd's purse, nettle, yarrow). Gentle milking is carried out every 3-4 hours, the nipples are pre-washed with laundry soap, washed off with warm water, the udder is easily massaged. It is important to empty it completely during milking. After milking, ointments are used to lubricate the teats. In severe cases of the disease, droppers with glucose, calcium chloride, caffeine injections are needed.

Vascular disorders

Fragility of vessels or hemolysis may be the cause of the symptom in question.Milk turns pink with varying degrees of intensity. Young cows have fragility of the vessels of the udder immediately after calving. In this case, it is not recommended to massage the udder so as not to provoke ruptures of other vessels. A blood test shows a low level of platelets. Vascular hemolysis is possible with leptospirosis.

For treatment, the cow is given vitamins C, K, and calcium chloride is injected. The veterinarian may prescribe the hemostatic drug Hemarktin. The calf is transferred to feeding milk from another cow.

Bruises

Animals in the pasture or when moving in a herd, a watering hole on the river can injure each other or get hurt on stones, logs, low-growing branches of trees. If blood is noticed after milking and it is known that there is no mastitis, then the udder should be carefully examined, perhaps somewhere there is swelling from a bruise.

It is recommended to apply cold to this place. In a day you will need a warming compress, an iodine net.

Udder damage

Immediately after calving, there are mechanical damage to the udder by milking equipment, also during walking and grazing - scratches, cuts, abrasions. In this case, blood in the milk content occurs only at the beginning of milking, if the affected area is affected. For the treatment of such injuries, wound healing ointments are used. Disinfection of purulent wounds is carried out with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine.

Prevention

For large and small farms, prevention of mastitis is essential. It is as follows:

1. The areas where animals are kept should be clean, well ventilated, bedding changed regularly.
2. Cow feed should be balanced, include a lot of coarse fiber, vitamins, minerals.
3. Before milking, the udder must be washed or disinfected. After milking - rinse with soda and wipe with softening ointment.
4. Correctly distribute cows.
5. When pus or white flakes appear in the milk, immediately begin treatment, without leading to the hemorrhagic stage.

Is it possible to drink milk with blood

People, calves and other animals should not drink cow's milk with blood. The reason is that the product, when blood particles enter it, greatly changes its properties.

Valuable proteins, casein, calcium in it are replaced by other substances, such as chlorides. The composition is mixed with microbes that can be pathogenic to humans.When treating a cow, along with milk, antibiotics and other substances are released. Despite the fact that the cow continues to be milked, the milk must be disposed of after testing.

It is important not to stop milking, to continue caring for the animal, to provide him with a complete vitamin feed, along with roughage, not to stop walking. With proper treatment and good care, the condition when the cow has blood in the milk passes rather quickly, and this valuable product can again be used by people and for feeding the calf.

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