Mastitis in a cow: home treatment with folk remedies

Mastitis Is an inflammation of the mammary gland. In the agricultural and industrial maintenance of cows, this disease causes significant economic damage, due to the impossibility of selling milk, as well as a possible decrease in milk productivity.

Without treatment, atrophy of the affected quarters of the udder develops, so it is important for everyone who breeds cows to know about the symptoms and treatment of mastitis.

Causes of mastitis

Inflammatory processes in the mammary gland in cows appear for a variety of reasons.

Therefore, when treating this disease, it is important to eliminate the etiological factor:

• Inflammatory, somatic, functional diseases of various internal organs (endometritis, atony of the proventriculus, enteritis, hepatitis, hoof diseases).
• Unsanitary conditions for keeping cows (lack or too dirty bedding).
• Violation of milking technology.
• Malfunctioning milking equipment.
• Dirty milking.
• The presence of various infectious diseases.
• Failure to comply with zoohygienic standards (cold floor, drafts, cold room).
• Incorrect starting and beating of cows.
• Violation of feeding technology.

Mastitis often develops during dry periods when there is no need for udder hygiene. Before calving, when colostrum production begins, the teat canal opens slightly and opportunistic microflora may enter the udder cistern.

The causative agent provokes inflammatory processes in the udder, changing the quality and structure of colostrum. Therefore, it is not recommended to eat milk before and after calving, unless home or laboratory tests have been carried out on the quality of milk.

Signs of the disease

Depending on the type of mastitis, cows have different symptomatic manifestations.

But there are general clinical signs and symptoms that can identify breast inflammation at an early stage:

• Swelling of the udder.
• Soreness to palpation or touching the affected quarter. The cow tries in every possible way to push the person away from itself: it kicks, moves away, shakes its head.
• Redness of the udder nipples.
• Reduced milk yield.
• Enlargement of the subcutaneous lymph nodes in the groin area.
• Milk goes badly and tightly.
• White clots, pus, or clear liquid instead of milk.
• Lack of milk. In this case, the treatment is not effective. Lack of milk indicates udder atrophy.

How to define inflammation?

Correctly performed diagnosis of inflammation of the mammary gland in female cattle serves as a guarantee of correctly prescribed drug treatment. There are many known methods for setting a certain form of udder disease. Some of them show great efficiency, while others work only in conjunction with the first.

To detect mastitis in cows, you need to do the following:

1. conduct a visual inspection of the cow and udder;
2. find out the onset of inflammation and the time when the first signs appeared;
3. installation of a factor contributing to the onset of the disease;
4. milk samples are analyzed under laboratory conditions.

Understanding the picture helps to clarify the conditions in which the animal is kept. In particular, the farmer tells in detail about the cow's diet, methods of milking, the number of mastitis transferred by this individual and others.

It is advisable to indicate all existing diseases, since some of them directly affect the inflammatory process.

A complete examination before treatment consists in carrying out the following procedures:

• milking is organized, the secret of the udder is studied in detail;
• measure temperature, respiratory rate and pulse;
• a specialist examines the lymph nodes above the udder;
• compare the degree of heating, hardness and increase of individual quarters;
• describe the skin color of the breast and the integrity of the skin;
• nipples are palpated for stones, starting from the base and extending to the bottom.

Almost all forms of mastitis are characterized by the general lethargy of the cow, partial or complete refusal to eat, and an increase in udder temperature. With complex currents, milk changes even externally, showing particles of pus or blood. It is necessary to treat any stage, since they can replace each other, aggravate the symptoms and condition of the animal.

Types of mastitis and symptoms

Distinguish between acute, chronic and advanced disease:

• Acute form characterized by severe soreness of the organ, an increase in the general temperature. Such mastitis must be treated quickly. Without the provision of a drug form, it flows into a chronic one.
• Chronic form characterized by a functional change in the soft tissues of the udder. Exacerbation develops under the influence of etiological factors. The cow often suffers from mastitis, and it becomes more difficult to treat it each time.
• Launched mastitis called when treatment was postponed indefinitely and clinical signs do not disappear under the influence of medications. Typically, this form of mastitis is not cured. The share is launched and is no longer distributed. The productivity of the cow is significantly reduced. If several lobes are launched, then such a cow is sent to slaughter.

In addition, there are other forms of mastitis, which differ in the type of inflammatory process:

• Subclinical. Mastitis without clinical signs. It is characterized by an increase in somatic cells in milk. You can find out about this type of disease using a special test. If not treated in time, it can spill over into other forms of clinical mastitis.
• Serous. The mildest form of the disease. It is characterized by the release of a transparent exudate together with milk. In addition, it is accompanied by severe edema of the affected quarters. The cow is worried and does not allow herself to be milked due to the soreness of the organ. Without timely treatment, it is able to flow into other forms of clinical mastitis.
• Catarrhal. This type of inflammation is characterized by the release of mucous exudate produced by the alveoli and ducts of the mammary gland. Unlike other types of mastitis, this inflammation develops first in the alveolar part and then spreads to the ducts. Instead of milk, a light, cloudy liquid is released, the udder is not swollen, but painful. It is difficult to treat, therefore it is necessary to eliminate it from the first days of the disease.
• Fibrinous. It is characterized by the release of fibrin clots from the affected lobes. It is considered the most common type of mastitis. Clots can be of different sizes and consistencies, from soft to very hard. It is easily identified - when the first streams of milk are removed, masses are released that are more reminiscent of cottage cheese. With proper treatment, it is easily eliminated, but the possibility of regular relapses remains under the influence of etiological factors.
• Purulent. It develops when an anaerobic infection enters the cistern. It is characterized by severe pain in the udder area, with any touch to the mammary gland, the cortex becomes restless: it does not allow the milkmaid, begins to kick. Sometimes the temperature can rise up to 40 degrees. From the affected lobes, instead of or together with milk, a cloudy yellow exudate is released, often with a foul odor.Difficult to treat, may cause quarter atrophy or udder gangrene.
• Specific. It appears in the presence of various infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, chlamydia and others. It can occur in all of the above forms, but does not respond to classical treatment. Therefore, if the disease is not eliminated for a long time or there is a massive disease of mastitis, without the influence of etiological factors, it is recommended to donate the blood of cows for laboratory analysis to detect infectious diseases.

Almost all cases of clinical mastitis can occur in mixed forms, or different types of inflammation can affect different quarters of the udder.

Diagnosis of mastitis

Diagnosis of mastitis is done in the laboratory or on site. If there are several cows on the farm, and the products are delivered to a dairy plant, then the owner of the animals will be notified that his cows are sick with mastitis - the somatics of milk will be increased.

• In laboratory conditions, mastitis is examined by the number of somatic cells. With an increase in the latter, sowing is done on various pathogens. This method is good because, when a pathogen is identified, it is easier to choose an effective antibiotic.
• At home, mastitis is diagnosed visually and when the first streams of milk are milked from cows. A swollen or too dense udder indicates the presence of any inflammatory processes in the organ. When shedding, fibrin clots, catarrhal, serous or purulent exudates can be observed. If the latter are observed, then milk from such a cow should not be eaten until the animal is fully recovered.
• The testing method is also popular. Milk is drawn into a special plate with four compartments after the first streams of milk have been expressed. Then a drug is added to the milk that identifies mastitis in the animal. The method works on the principle of determining the number of somatic cells.

The initial result can be determined by the color and consistency of the mixture:

• Orange color without clots is the norm, no mastitis.
• Light cream color, consistency does not change - a slight increase in the number of somatic cells, subclinical mastitis.
• Purple color and mucus-like consistency speaks of the clinical manifestation of the disease, treatment is required.

Most often, such a diagnosis is used to identify subclinical mastitis in a herd. A slight increase in somatics is possible within ten days after recovery.

Preventive measures

To prevent the appearance of mastitis in any of the forms described above, it is necessary to engage in ongoing preventive measures.

• only experienced specialists can be allowed to work with cows, especially when it comes to servicing dairy parlors where milking is carried out;
• high-quality natural feed is necessary for animals;
• maintaining cleanliness in the premises where the cows are;
• availability of a qualified veterinarian;
• it is necessary to pay attention to the presence of cuts on the udder in order to prevent subclinical mastitis;
• a full udder and tender teats require a gentle attitude from the milking operator - with rough, inept movements it is fashionable to provoke the onset of a disease that is difficult to treat later;
• milking is carried out at regular intervals and regularly;
• before and after each milking, it is imperative to do a massage;
• it is necessary to observe hygiene standards and sterility in the household.

How to treat mastitis in cows?

The veterinary pharmaceutical market offers many types of different anti-mastitis drugs. These are various anti-inflammatory, antibacterial agents, as well as local preparations for physiotherapeutic treatment.

The treatment of any mastitis is based on the complex use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and physiological drugs:

• With serous mastitis intracisceral antibiotics are used together with novocaine blockade. The disease is eliminated in 2-3 days.
• Catarrhal mastitis requires complex treatment: intra-omenal and intramuscular antibacterial drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, ointments and blockade are used. The course of treatment is 3-5 days.
• Fibrinous mastitis: two types of antibacterial agents, anti-inflammatory and ointments. The course of treatment is 5 days.
• Purulent mastitis it is more difficult to treat. Treatment is the same as for catarrhal form, but longer - 7-10 days. In addition, droppers are prescribed to reduce intoxication of the body, as well as antipyretics if the animal has an increase in temperature.

With the treatment of each form of the disease, the diet changes: the supply of concentrates and water decreases. This is required to reduce productivity. Vitamin complexes are injected intramuscularly. For the period of treatment, it is best to transfer the cows to multiple hand milking.

Antibacterial treatment

The use of antibiotics for any form of mastitis (even non-infectious) is mandatory for the speedy recovery of the animal. Various types of drugs are used, different places of administration.

Of particular importance are cephalosporins, which are not detected in milk, but have a high antibacterial effect in the treatment of inflammatory processes in the mammary gland.

Penicillin antibiotics are also effective. The brightest representative is Bitsilin. It can be administered intramuscularly, intramuscularly, or in conjunction with novocaine blockade. Main advantages - quickly removed from milk.

Preparations for mastitis

• Mastimax. Antibacterial drug for intracisceral administration. It is introduced into the affected quarters of the udder once a day. Completely excreted from milk after three days.
• Benstrep. It is administered intramuscularly once a day at a dose of 1 ml per 25 kg of body weight, but not more than 10 ml in one place. Used for 3-5 days. It is excreted from milk 60 hours after the last injection.
• Penmicin. It is administered intramuscularly once a day at a dose of 1 ml per 20 kg of body weight, but not more than 15 ml in one place. Can be applied within 3-5 days. It is excreted from milk 4 days after the last injection.
• Nitox. The drug is for intramuscular injection. It is prescribed in a dose of 1 ml per 10 kg of animal weight, but not more than 20 ml in one place. Used for a week. It is excreted from milk 7 days after the last injection.
• Novocaine blockade. It is used at the beginning of the disease, it can be combined with an antibacterial agent. Reduces pain and inflammation. Only a veterinary specialist can carry out novocaine blockade, in order to avoid injury to the udder.
• Ribotan. An immunostimulant that helps the body fight various pathogens along with antibiotics. It is prescribed in a dose of 5-6 ml once. There are no milk restrictions.

Mastimax

Benstrep

Nitox

Novocaine

Ribotan

Medicine in a syringe

Pharmaceutical companies offer a wide range of antibacterial agents in syringe catheters for intracisceral administration.

This method has many advantages and disadvantages:

In addition to syringes-catheters against clinical mastitis, there are drugs of a similar method of administration to prevent inflammation of the mammary gland during dry periods. They are introduced into all quarters of the udder after lactation is complete.

Sterile conditions must also be observed. If the cow calves ahead of time, then milk is strictly forbidden to be used for food purposes, since the antibiotic remains. Examples of such drugs: Orbenin, Mastiet forte.

Ointments for mastitis

• Camphor ointment. Apply after milking. Has a warming effect. The swelling and lumps dissolve, and the animal's recovery is accelerated.
• Ichthyol ointment. Accelerates tissue regeneration, relieves inflammation and reduces exudation.
• Pihtoin. It acts in the same way as ichthyol ointment - it accelerates regeneration and reduces exudation in the affected tissues.

Camphor ointment

Ichthyol ointment

Pihtoin

Treatment methods

For the treatment of such a complex and dangerous animal disease, medications that are prescribed by a veterinarian are suitable. Self-medication is extremely dangerous for the health of cows. In some cases, if it is not possible to immediately call a specialist to the animals, then you can try folk remedies. They are not dangerous and will be able to support the cow until the veterinarian arrives.

Among the folk remedies, there are the most popular:

• the use of herbal decoctions, they help relieve pain and relieve inflammation;
• various ointments and tinctures, most often used by algae, plantain leaves or calendula;
• the use of compresses;
• clay therapy;
• egg white is injected into the nipples.

I would like to remind you that the effectiveness of folk remedies is good only if the mastitis is in the initial stage. If the disease becomes more severe, it is necessary to administer medications, which are prescribed by a veterinarian. You can not give up antibiotics so that there are no lethal cases.

Folk remedies

Mastitis can be cured in the following folk ways:

• Soda. With fibrinous mastitis, a dark solution of 4% soda is injected in an amount of 200 ml. It is introduced through a special intracisceral catheter, and the solution is left for 15-20 minutes, after which it is removed. Soda solution dissolves fibrin clots, which speeds up recovery.
• Compress with laundry soap. The affected quarters of the udder are greased with laundry soap and left. It is especially effective for udder edema with serous mastitis.
• For serous mastitis, clay compresses are also effective. They have a cooling effect and reduce swelling.

How to treat latent mastitis in a cow?

First of all, a cow with latent mastitis must be isolated from the rest, and provided with peace. During the grazing season, she is placed in a pre-prepared stall. It should not be dark, damp, cold. The animal is on a diet to reduce milk production. Limit drinking water if udder edema is present.

There are many treatments for latent bovine mastitis. But the very first thing to do is to transfer the animal from the machine method of milking to the manual one. In parallel with manual milking, we massage the udder.

It is recommended to use physiotherapeutic methods: warming compresses, applications, lamps, UHF, UFO. It is worth knowing that not only the udder is affected, but the entire body of the animal as a whole.

Treatment features:

• The course of treatment should be started immediately from the moment the symptoms of the disease are detected.
• In the case of drug treatment, it is not recommended to consume milk.
• For any mastitis, the main thing is to free the mammary gland from pathological secretions.
• Antibiotics are used for inflammation.
• In the presence of a severe form, it is recommended to resort to symptomatic treatment.

What to do if you suspect mastitis

For a start, it's worth remembering:

you need to donate milk to the laboratory for testing at least once a month, even if there are no apparent reasons. This will allow you to avoid infection, detect the infection in advance and begin timely treatment.

If you notice udder swelling, discoloration of milk or any other reason, then you need to act immediately.

Take a milk sample and send it to the laboratory. Here milk is examined for the nature of mastitis and its sensitivity to antibiotics. The microflora must be sensitive to one or more types of antibiotics. Thanks to the results of this analysis, the veterinarian will be able to choose a highly effective course of treatment.

Prophylaxis

Prevention of mastitis consists in the elimination of etiological factors, these include:

• Proper nutrition of animals.
• Correct start and break.
• Compliance with milking technology.
• Timely hygiene of the udder and milking equipment.
• Compliance with zoohygienic rules for keeping animals.
• Treatment of infectious and somatic diseases.

In addition, there are special vaccines for mastitis. They are introduced intraciscerally and prevent pathogenic microflora from entering the cistern, while not changing the quality of milk. The duration of such vaccines depends on the manufacturer, but with the correct use of these drugs, the incidence can be significantly reduced.

Timely detection and treatment of mastitis in cows (also in pregnant cows) does not allow a decrease in the productivity of animals, and also does not provoke large economic damage.

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