A cow's udder is one of its most important and highly sensitive organs. Experienced farmers can determine the animal's health by its condition. If any external changes occur, such as swelling, consult a veterinarian.
Causes of occurrence
Veterinarians note that udder swelling is most often observed in cows that have recently calved, but it can also occur in nulliparous cows. The main causes of udder swelling are:
- toxicosis in a cow throughout the entire pregnancy;
- various heart diseases in animals;
- kidney problems;
- improper diet for a first-calf heifer during pregnancy;
- uneven blood circulation, too little blood flow to the udder.
Any of the above-mentioned causes can cause swelling, and sometimes this condition develops in a cow immediately before the birth of a calf. However, farmers most often encounter this problem after the animal has given birth.
Experts note that this disease can often be observed in cattle whose daily diet included large amounts of protein, but insufficient or no hay or straw.
Signs
Every farmer should be aware of the main signs of udder edema, as this knowledge will help them quickly detect the progression of the pathological process and seek veterinary help. The following are considered the main symptoms of the disease:
- the skin thickens on the surface of the organ, resembling dough in appearance and feel;
- swelling does not go away if you press on the skin of the udder; it takes much longer for the organ to return to its original shape after pressing;
- swelling can be observed not only throughout the entire organ, but also in its front or back part;
- the temperature of the skin directly on the udder will be colder than on other parts of the animal’s body;
- swelling in the nipple area is especially noticeable; their appearance will differ from those that have not yet undergone this phenomenon;
- after the birth of a calf, swelling on the udder may be on one part or another;
- an increase in body temperature after calving is not often observed in cows;
- the appearance of milk during edema changes extremely rarely, its quantity may only decrease;
- the cow does not experience any discomfort if you touch her teats;
- The swelling that appears before giving birth may disappear if everything is in order in the animal’s body.
- × Ignoring changes in udder skin temperature can lead to late diagnosis of serious diseases.
- × Misinterpreting the absence of pain on palpation as a sign of health may miss the onset of an inflammatory process.
Possible complications and consequences
Veterinarians do not recommend ignoring this problem in cows. Udder swelling for several days before and after calving is not considered a medical condition. However, this condition should be monitored closely, as it can reduce the resistance of the udder tissue and the entire body to various harmful bacteria.
In addition, swelling can lead to the development of a disease in the animal such as mastitisThe disease also has the potential to become chronic, causing the connective tissue to grow and become denser. The udder size increases with these conditions, while the amount of milk the cow can produce decreases.
It's worth noting that mastitis can progress in stages. Initially, it can be serous or catarrhal. This type of disease is characterized by decreased milk flow due to the formation of plugs in the milk ducts. However, the cow doesn't feel any worse, and body temperature may only be observed in the swollen areas of the udder.
A farmer can identify this type of disease by boiling milk. In serous mastitis, the milk will break up into flakes, while in catarrhal mastitis, it will lose fat.
In addition to the above-mentioned types of mastitis, there is a more dangerous type, called fibrous mastitis. This type of disease often progresses to purulent mastitis. Fibrous mastitis causes fever, lumps in the udder, and pain. Suppurative mastitis is characterized by the formation of pus and inflammation in the udder tissue.
Veterinarians recommend starting treatment for mastitis in its early stages to prevent the animal from stopping lactation.
How to treat udder swelling?
A veterinarian will prescribe medication for a cow. Self-selection of medications is unacceptable, as it may worsen the situation.
Most often, doctors prescribe intravenous calcium gluconate to treat the disease. This medication helps normalize blood circulation. Instead, doctors may recommend calcium chloride, as it has similar properties. The exact dosage and duration of treatment are determined individually after examining the cow.
To restore cardiovascular function, veterinarians also prescribe subcutaneous administration of Caffeine Benzoate. Additionally, the doctor may prescribe anti-swelling ointments, such as Rigefen, which contains phenylbutazone and aluminum.
In addition to this ointment, your veterinarian may prescribe bismuth-zinc ointment, which should be applied several times a day. Vishnevsky ointment and ichthyol ointment are also effective. These medications are effective in combating inflammation, but they impart an unpleasant taste to the milk.
Sometimes doctors prescribe diuretics and laxatives. It's worth mentioning that these medications are prescribed at the final stage of treatment and should not be used early in the disease's development.
Along with medication, a veterinarian may recommend udder massage to cattle owners. This procedure is prescribed to restore blood and lymph flow in the organ and to reduce pressure in the tissue. Creams and ointments should not be used during udder massage.
You can also learn how to prevent and treat udder swelling in cows from the video below:
Folk remedies
Instead of drug therapy, a veterinarian may recommend treating a cow's condition with folk remedies. One of the most popular treatments is a poultice of hay dust. If the cow is relatively calm, this method works well. You can also try reducing swelling with warm wraps. Veterinarians also recommend tying up the udder if it's severely sagging.
Some experienced farmers treat the condition by changing the animal's usual diet. It's especially important to monitor the cow's diet during pregnancy and after calving. Salt and high-calorie feed should be eliminated from the diet during this period.
- • Use warm compresses before milking to improve milk flow.
- • Use of gentle massage techniques to reduce discomfort in the animal.
- • Increase the frequency of milking to 8-10 times a day to prevent milk stagnation.
Animals should be fed high-quality hay. Veterinarians also advise owners to pay more attention to the milking process. Milking a cow At least 7-8 times a day. It's also important to ensure the cow drinks enough water. Special dill water can help speed up recovery.
When the udder is swollen, it's crucial to avoid mechanical stress on the animal. However, it still needs 2-3 hours of fresh air per day.
Are there any preventative measures?
To prevent a pregnant cow from developing udder swelling, she should be given daily walks and avoid feeding her succulent feed. If swelling does occur, these foods should be completely eliminated from her diet until she fully recovers. Special attention to feeding is required approximately two weeks before and for at least ten days after giving birth.
To prevent swelling from leading to mastitis, the cow must be kept clean. The cow's barn should have consistent temperature fluctuations, and the bedding should be changed daily. Before placing the cow in the barn for the winter, it must be thoroughly disinfected to kill all bacteria. Milking should also be done gently.
Udder swelling in a cow does not always indicate a medical condition, but it still warrants the owner's attention and specialist consultation. If left untreated, this condition can lead to serious complications in the animal's body.