Contents
Treatment of milk stone in a cow is an important therapeutic measure, on which the further productivity of the animal will depend. The causes of the pathology are varied, but more often they are associated with improper milking from the cow’s udder. Treatment is quite successful with a timely detected disease.
What are milk stones
Milk stone is the deposition of certain salts, in particular calcium and phosphorus, in the mammary glands of a cow, the so-called calcification process. It is a non-contagious disease of cattle. The livestock breeder may notice small stones during milking, as fine sand will be present in the milk. Larger stones cannot come out on their own, they get stuck in the milk passages and make milking difficult. Sometimes they connect with each other, become larger. The density of the stones can be different – hard, soft, loose, elastic. If you do not start treatment when the first symptoms appear, the disease can develop into mastitis or some other pathology. As a rule, veterinarians recommend reviewing the cow’s diet. Obviously, there is some imbalance of minerals.
The mammary glands, the udder of the animal is a very delicate organ that requires careful attention from the breeder during milking and care. Often the udder is exposed to external factors, injuries, infectious diseases, and inflammatory processes. This affects the quantity and quality of dairy products. However, the disease responds well to treatment and rarely has complications.
Reasons for the formation of milk stones in cows
Milk stone disease is more often observed in individuals older than 5 years. The main cause of the pathology is the retention of milk, its incomplete milking from the udder. In the remains of milk, salts are formed, which are then converted into milk stones. There are a number of other reasons for the development of the disease in a cow:
- violation of metabolic processes in the body of the animal;
- inflammatory processes of the walls of the milk tract;
- non-compliance with hygiene standards;
- micronutrient imbalance.
During milking, sand, small stones in the cow’s teats can be easily felt through the skin.
Milk stones immediately after the calving of a cow are nothing more than candied colostrum. As a rule, in this case there is no cause for concern.
Symptoms of milk stones in cows
At the beginning of the disease, some swelling of the udder can be detected, with palpation, slight foci of seals are felt. Yields may decrease. As the disease progresses, the animal shows some anxiety, looks back, and mooes. This suggests that the individual is experiencing pain. At the same time, the lymph nodes in the udder area slightly increase. Milk stones, the largest in size, are felt through the nipples. At this stage of the disease, milk production decreases quite significantly.
As a rule, milk stone disease is observed throughout the udder, while inflammatory processes are not determined. The appearance of milk practically does not change, only small grains of sand appear at the beginning of milking, in the first portions of milk. However, in laboratory studies, increased acidity, a low percentage of fat content are determined.
Milk stone disease should be differentiated from mastitis. With the development of this pathology, the temperature of one or more lobes of the mammary gland rises. At the same time, body temperature is reduced. Milk from a cow with mastitis should not be eaten. While it is recommended to prepare fermented milk products from milk from an individual with a history of milk stone disease.
How to Treat Milk Stone in a Cow
Veterinarians offer several options for ridding a cow of milk stones:
- massage before and after milking;
- use of a catheter;
- surgical intervention;
- drug treatment;
- exposure to ultrasound.
Well helps to get rid of the stones daily massage. Before milking, the udder is washed with warm water, wiped with a clean towel and massage is started. It should be done carefully, stroking the udder from top to bottom to the teats, and then laterally. After that, they move on to the nipples. They are squeezed to release milk. After that, wipe the udder with a hard cloth. Massage should be done before and after milking.
With the help of a catheter, loose formations can be removed from the cow’s teats. First, a special solution is introduced into the tank, which crushes the stones, and then, during milking, they are gently squeezed out of the nipples with milk.
Sometimes surgery is required if the stones are too large. To do this, the tank is opened, sutures are applied, stony formations are removed from the cow’s udder, or a catheter is attached to it for a while.
Intravenous administration of oxytocin contributes to the rapid restoration of all the properties of milk. The agent is administered within 1 week. Recovery occurs in 2-3 weeks.
An effective way to deal with milk stones in a cow is ultrasound. First, it is prepared for the procedure: the udder is washed and shaved, treated with a disinfectant solution and coated with glycerin. The device is driven along the udder of a cow, gradually increasing the radiation power and exposure time. Manipulation is carried out daily. It will take from 2 to 10 sessions depending on the degree of the disease. Ultrasound allows drugs to penetrate the cow’s body faster.
The treatment of milk stone in a cow is described in the video.
Bougie is often used for treatment. It is injected into the canal, left for a few minutes. Then use a bougie of a wider diameter, and increase the exposure time. The procedure can be repeated every three days.
Preventive measures
Intramuscular administration of oxytocin is also used to prevent milk stones in cows. But it is better to milk the cow completely, to the last drop and take care of the udder in accordance with hygiene standards. The formation of milk stones in a cow can be affected by incorrect start-up. Often, due to a decrease in the number of milkings and a regular delay in milk, the process of the appearance of stones is significantly enhanced.
It is necessary to carefully observe the animals immediately after calving. During the colostrum period, they should be milked at least 5-6 times a day. It is at this time that a lot of milk stones come out of the cow’s udder. If they linger in the gland, the milk ducts become clogged.
Conclusion
Treatment of milkstone in a cow is a must for any cattle owner. For many highly productive dairy cows, this disease is very typical. It does not cause significant economic damage, does not greatly affect the health of the animal, is quickly treatable, and does not cause complications. Like any other pathology, milk stone disease should be treated in time.