Contents
If a ball (seal) appears in the udder of a cow, then this is a reason for the farmer to sound the alarm. Such seals are diverse in nature, may indicate the presence of inflammatory processes that threaten the life of the animal.
Why does a cow have bumps on her udder
When manually examining a cow, her udder is soft, and the parenchyma can be easily felt through the skin. Also, after pressing the skin is almost immediately smoothed, and the trace disappears. Filling, the mammary gland increases elasticity, and the contour of the cup becomes clearer. In a healthy cow, the color of the udder has an expressive pink tint.
However, with pathologies, the following is observed:
- there are palpable egg-shaped seals in the udder;
- its thicket is gradually deformed and loses its shape;
- skin color loses its pink tint;
- the gland becomes harder;
- the parenchyma is not palpable.
These factors can be regarded as clear symptoms of inflammation in the body. The most susceptible to such formations are pregnant females, as well as cows after calving. During these periods, they are the most vulnerable, and the possibilities of treatment are limited by the peculiarities of the cow’s condition. These symptoms are characterized by the following diseases:
- mastitis;
- edema;
- bruises and insect bites;
- furunculosis.
What are the dangers of seals on the udder of a cow
The danger of sores on milking cows of various nature is as follows:
- induration – the process of growth of the skin, which thickens over time, blocks the channels and causes a decrease in milk production;
- mastitis – a serious disease in which, in addition to compaction, there are numerous purulent foci, and the general inflammatory process is a serious danger to the life of the animal.
Popular cases and pictures of diseases can be seen in the photo of bumps on the udder of a cow.
How to treat bumps on the udder
Most often, bumps on the udder are a pronounced sign of mastitis in a cow. For farmers, this disease is a real disaster, since it not only reduces the milk productivity of the animal (all milk is discarded during the period of illness and treatment), but can also develop into more serious life-threatening pathologies.
Sometimes lumps in the udder of a cow can indicate a skin disease in a cow. Dermatitis can be triggered by allergies or insect bites. Of all the reactions of the body, the most dangerous is lumpy dermatitis – in the people tubercles. This disorder is viral in nature and consists of several strands of DNA.
Unfortunately for farmers, lumpy skin disease virus is very resistant to temperature changes, bleach and other antiseptics. Complete disinfection in the stalls is quite difficult and is carried out using 20% ether. There are two main ways the virus is transmitted:
- through the seminal fluid;
- through insect bites.
For treatment, do the following:
- first of all, the infected animal is separated from the herd;
- quarantine is declared on the farm (restrictions are lifted no earlier than a month after the recovery of the last injured animal);
- the incubation period of tubercles is from a week to 10 days, and the disease itself lasts approximately 4 weeks;
- the animal is administered one or more antiviral agents;
- identifying lumpy dermatitis is quite simple by external signs.
After recovery, the animal develops stable immunity to lumpy dermatitis for up to 1 year. To relieve inflammation and compaction from the udder of a cow, symptomatic treatment is carried out:
- remove swelling;
- apply antiseptic creams and ointments to the udder;
- all milk tanks are treated with hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate.
An antiviral drug is prescribed by a qualified veterinarian, since in each specific method the picture of the disease may differ.
Mastitis in a cow can be caused by streptococci, which enter the animal’s body through microcracks in the nipples. Most often, the disease is accompanied by a serious inflammatory process, which most often affects 1-2 quarters of the gland, less often the entire udder.
Also, the cause of mastitis in the form of seals in the udder of a cow can be improper care of the animal and stagnation of milk in the gland. Serous mastitis may appear after calving. It is characterized by the overlap of the milk channels, which makes it impossible for the exit of liquids. Treatment is prescribed only by a veterinarian on an individual basis. In general, it has a similar program:
- in advanced stages, antibiotics are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process;
- if calving begins in a couple of days, then frequent milking begins (up to 8 times a day), and the udder is intensively massaged;
- those parts that have been affected by the disease are rubbed with hay or a soft mitten, this should be done carefully so as not to cause mechanical injury, for this, soap products are applied to the skin before starting the procedure;
- special applications are made on the affected areas of the skin, which consist of clay, decoctions of chamomile, wax and mint tinctures, after applying the mixture, the treated area is covered with a warm napkin and polyethylene; before proceeding to milking, the application is removed, and its residues are washed off with warm water.
To remove swelling and induration from the udder in case of a bruise or insect bite, the area is cooled. At night, the animal is given special lotions, which consist of clay, cabbage leaves and propolis. If necessary, the veterinarian prescribes a novocaine blockade and administers intramuscular antibiotics to the cow. It is also necessary to adjust the nutrition of the animal. For example, the diet is enriched with vitamin supplements and limited to only hay for a certain period. Salt intake is limited.
As a rule, puffiness disappears on the fifth day.
Prevention of cones on the udder of a cow
To prevent compaction in the udder, a number of the following methods are used:
- all dead cattle are buried or burned;
- carry out a full vaccination of all animals in the corral in order to stimulate their immunity;
- it is important to ensure a high level of sterility of the milking room, as well as keeping conditions;
- compliance with all recommendations regarding mechanical milking;
- prevention and timely treatment of any mechanical damage to the udder;
- adherence to the rules of sterility;
- separation of sick and healthy animals into different herds.
Seals in milking a cow may indicate diseases that in no case should be left to chance. Their appearance is a signal that it is time to carry out a complete diagnosis of the health of the animal.
Conclusion
If a farmer has diagnosed a ball in the udder of a cow, you should immediately consult a doctor. This neoplasm may be a clear sign of a serious breast disease that requires long-term therapy.