Serous mastitis in a cow: symptoms and treatment, drugs and folk methods

Cows in farms and private farms are bred for milk. Its productivity directly depends on the state of the udder of the animal. That is why the occurrence of serous mastitis in a cow is a serious problem for farmers. The disease requires prompt treatment in order to avoid financial losses, maintain milk production and animal he alth. Today's conversation is about the causes of the development of the disease, methods of treatment and prevention of mastitis.

Reasons

Serous mastitis is an inflammation of the udder in cows. Usually 1-2 lobes are affected, much less often it captures the entire organ.It is characterized by the accumulation of effusion under the skin and connective tissue, petrification of the affected area of the udder. It usually occurs after childbirth, when the immunity of animals is reduced.

Serous mastitis is bacterial in nature. The disease is caused by staphylococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli. After calving, it can be found in a third of the cattle population on the farm. There are several reasons for the development of serous mastitis in animals:

mechanical damage to the udder (injuries, scratches) received in the pasture or in the barn;
improper milking of cows (especially first-calf heifers) when milk remains in the udder;
complications after calving (enteritis or endometritis);
keeping animals in unsanitary conditions;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

It can be passed from one animal to another when crowded in the barn. Often, serous mastitis occurs as a complication of ordinary mastitis, which was not cured in time.

Disease symptoms

Infection affects part of the udder or captures it completely. It is characterized by a violation of nerve conduction in the tissues of the udder, a decrease in the level of production of oxytocin - a hormone, without which childbirth and lactation in mammals are impossible.

With the development of serous mastitis, the following signs of the disease are noted:

Cow becomes lethargic, loses appetite.
The udder becomes hard, turns to stone.
The temperature of the animal rises, the udder becomes swollen, painful, hot to the touch.
Milk production decreases, milk becomes liquid, acquires a bluish tint, casein flakes appear in it.
Udder tissue reddened, looks inflamed.

The main difference between serous mastitis is the pronounced redness of the organ and its density. In some animals, the lymph nodes above the udder become inflamed.

Diagnosis

When making a diagnosis, the udder is examined from behind and from the sides, each of its shares, nipples. It must be symmetrical. Pay attention to the color of the fabrics. Milk out some milk, check its consistency, color, presence of flakes.

Important: the disease occurs more often in large livestock complexes where animals are milked by machines.

The organ is palpated twice: before and after milking, the density of the udder, soreness, the presence of seals, folds, skin thickness are noted. Check udder mobility. Probing should be deeper after milking.

Since serous and other types of mastitis in the initial stage may have a latent form, milk must be sent for analysis every month. If a disease is suspected, milk is taken separately from each quarter of the udder.

How to treat serous mastitis in cows

Treatment should begin immediately after diagnosis. Competent actions allow you to eliminate the disease in 7-10 days, otherwise it may take a more severe form, the cow will stop producing milk.

Medicated treatment

Drugs in the treatment of serous mastitis should be prescribed by a veterinarian. A set of recommended measures allows you to quickly cope with the disease. Great for healing:

Mastisan A. The complex of sulfadimesin, penicillin and streptomycin provides a quick antibacterial effect. "Mastisan" is an oily liquid of white or yellowish color. Available in bottles of 100, 50, and 20 milliliters. Before use, it is heated to 37-39 ° C and shaken to mix. The medicine is drawn into a syringe without a needle and injected into the teat canal (5-20 milliliters) in the inflamed part of the udder. Then the nipple is massaged from the bottom up with gentle movements.The tool is used 1 time per day. At the initial stage of the disease, one injection is enough, with more severe forms of serous mastitis - 5-7 days, at the same time.
"Mastomycin". The drug is available in the form of a gel, consists of gintomycin and lidocaine. Sold in the form of syringes, completely ready for use. It is introduced into the nipple canal every 12 hours. 2-6 injections are enough, depending on the severity of the disease.
Masti Veiksim is a German complex drug. Available in the form of an oil suspension. In addition to the active ingredients (trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain), it contains vitamins A and E. The method of administration is similar, 3 procedures are enough.

Before the introduction of drugs, the udder and nipples of the animal are washed with warm water and soap and gently wiped. The nipple is treated with alcohol. Sterile instruments are used.

Complex treatment

A set of measures is needed for successful treatment. Sick animals are separated from he althy livestock. They are left in the barn, they are not driven out to pasture. They stop giving juicy greens, limit drinking. Fresh grass for pets is dried. This is done to reduce lactation. Cows are kept in a clean, dry and warm environment. It should be well ventilated, but animals should be protected from drafts.

In addition to antibiotics inside, absorbable and warming ointments are applied to the udder. Apply ichthyol ointment, heparin, liniment according to Vishnevsky. Procedures begin to be carried out 3-4 days after the start of the course of antibiotics, after the subsidence of severe inflammation. Warming up with a quartz lamp is effective for relieving inflammation.

Additionally rinse the nipple canals with a solution of baking soda (2% sodium bicarbonate). The animal is gently milked by hand 4-6 times a day. To complete the release of the udder, oxytocin is injected - 5 milliliters for every 100 kilograms of the cow's weight. The drug is administered intravenously, intramuscularly or subcutaneously, milking begins 10 minutes after the injection. Several times a day, the organ is irrigated with a solution of chlorhexidine or furacilin.

Massage

The procedure allows you to get rid of seals. Carry out with clean hands, gently massage the udder from the bottom up for 15 minutes 3-4 times a day. The udder before the massage is smeared with petroleum jelly, glycerin, a special cream or lightly lathered.

Folk methods

To relieve swelling and fever, cabbage leaves are used, they are tied to the udder at night. Laundry soap is used as an antibacterial agent.The affected organ is well lathered and left for 25-30 minutes, then washed with clean warm water. Animals can be given decoctions of nettle or chamomile. Remove fever and inflammation compresses of grated carrots or potatoes or applications of rice or potato starch.

What is the danger of the disease

Serous mastitis is a disease that reduces the productivity of animals. If it is not treated, the cow will not be milked, lactation will stop. In severe cases, the disease becomes chronic, tissue necrosis occurs, and the animal dies.

Preventive measures

For prevention, you should systematically examine the udder, do milk tests for mastitis. Treat scratches and cuts on the udder with an antiseptic. Keep the barn clean and warm.

Before milking wash and dry the udder. Get a massage. Thoroughly milk the animal. Well fed, give vitamins and mineral supplements. Systematically provide veterinary examinations of livestock.

Can I drink the milk of sick animals

The milk of sick animals is disposed of. It cannot be drunk or sent for processing. When consuming such milk, angina and intestinal disorders may occur. Products obtained from such milk have an unpleasant odor, quickly deteriorate, and should not be eaten.

Serous mastitis in cows is common, with timely treatment it is successfully treated, it does not affect the productivity of animals. Quality living conditions, care and good nutrition reduce the risk of developing the disease.