Udder gangrene

Various mammary diseases are common in low and high producing animals. One of these is udder gangrene in cows. It can occur during lactation or dry periods at any time of the year. A surge in incidence is observed at moments of increased lactation, as well as for 10-15 days after the birth of a calf.

Causes of udder gangrene in cows

Gangrene is a putrefactive process that leads to the breakdown of tissues, followed by drying. It is caused by microbes, autolysis and various environmental factors. Necrosis can occur in almost any area of ​​the skin.

Gangrene occurs due to the direct effect on tissues of exogenous or endogenous factors. Scientists and veterinarians identify the following causes of the disease:

• the presence of bedsores;
• compression and crushing of tissues;
• mechanical breaks in the skin;
• serious burns;
• frostbite of tissues;
• hernias that lead to infringement of the intestine;
• inversions;
• direct effect of purulent, purulent-putrefactive, anaerobic microflora on skin areas.

When making a diagnosis, multiple internal causes of gangrene are taken into account:

• violation of metabolism in the body;
• endocrine and vasomotor disorders;
• blood clots;
• starvation;
• ruptures of blood vessels;
• significant blood loss.

There are two types of udder gangrene: dry and wet.

Clinical signs

The disease has pronounced clinical signs that enable the owner of cattle to determine the presence of udder gangrene in time and seek veterinary help. At the first stage, single or multiple spots form on the udder. They are characterized by:

• density to the touch;
• soreness when touched;
• in red or blue.

The process of gangrenous damage to the tissues of the udder proceeds very quickly. Already a few days after the onset of the first signs of inflammation, the second occurs – a dangerous stage with such clinical manifestations:

• high body temperature of the cow;
• the formation of multiple seals throughout the udder;
• rapidly developing disorders of the cardiovascular system;
• at the base of that part of the udder in which the focus of the inflammatory process is located, a pronounced line of bright blue color of a demarcation character appears;
• both in the diseased and in the healthy part of the udder tissues, the amount of secretion secreted is rapidly decreasing;
• the affected quarter increases sharply in size;
• against the background of the inflammatory process, the lymph nodes become larger and more painful.

Course of the disease

With dry gangrene, progressive drying of skin tissues is observed without changing its structure. With the development of the disease, it acquires a bluish, red or even black tint. The longer the gangrene proceeds, the less sensitive the affected area becomes. The temperature in it decreases significantly, and venous congestion occurs in the affected area. Every day the tissues become drier, as the liquid evaporates completely. The result of complete evaporation of the liquid is called tissue mummification.

Wet gangrene is a process of putrefactive tissue breakdown, which is provoked by microbes and autolysis in conditions of impaired circulation of venous blood and lymphatic fluid.

In the area affected by the disease, a large amount of fluid begins to accumulate, which includes putrefactive microflora, toxins, as well as protein breakdown products. It is the accumulation of this fluid that causes the rapid death of adjacent tissues, which is why the demarcation line is poorly visible and appears at critical stages of the disease.

Due to the intensive absorption of harmful substances by the body, the process of intoxication of the livestock organism occurs. If the microbial factor is removed with antibiotics, there is a chance that wet udder gangrene will become dry.

Treatment of udder gangrene

Before proceeding with treatment, it is necessary to confirm the validity of the diagnosis. To do this, a number of laboratory studies are carried out, including the collection of anamnestic and epizootic data, as well as a general clinical examination.

When compiling an anamnesis, a number of factors are taken into account that can provoke the occurrence of mastitis and, as a result, a complication – udder gangrene. The conditions of detention with food are also considered, this helps to establish the cause of the onset of diseases.

For the treatment of gangrene of the udder of the standard picture, a number of methods are used:

1. A sick cow is isolated from the herd and transferred to a separate place to ensure a calm regimen.
2. To normalize the general tone, intravenous injections with nutrients are used, as a rule, a mixture of calcium chloride, caffeine, Kadykov’s liquid, glucose and urotropine is administered.
3. For localization and removal of the inflammatory process, shock doses of antibiotics are administered intramuscularly.
4. Be sure to introduce Lugol’s solution with the addition of hydrogen peroxide, diluted potassium permanganate and oxygen through the nipple canal into the mammary gland. After 15 minutes, Lugol’s solution is removed from the body. Antibiotics mixed with novocaine or saline, brought to a temperature of 35-37 degrees, are administered through the cleaned channels in the same way. As an alternative to antibiotics, anti-mastitis drugs are used. It is strictly forbidden to massage the breast.
5. Purulent foci of gangrene are opened surgically, making wide incisions.
6. Wounds from incisions and tissue destruction are treated regularly every 4 hours with hydrogen peroxide, after which they are sprinkled with a special powder. You can use iodoform or mix streptocid and potassium permanganate in proportions of 3: 1.
7. To accelerate the healing of open wounds, it is recommended to use antiseptic ointments, creams or solutions, for example, balsamic liniment (Vishnevsky ointment).

If within 5-6 days the treatment does not give visible results, the cow is culled.

Forecast

If udder gangrene is detected at the first stage and its effective treatment, negative consequences can be avoided. As practice shows, due to the rapid course of the disease, udder gangrene is diagnosed when the inflammatory process is already seriously started.

With a qualified approach, the pathological process of destruction and suppuration of tissues can be localized by the affected quarter, after which a number of therapeutic methods can be applied.

High mortality is due to the specificity of the udder gangrene disease. Against the background of the inflammatory process, embolic foci are also diagnosed in various organs, mainly in the kidneys, liver and lungs. The livestock eventually dies due to septicemia.

Prevention

As a prophylaxis of udder gangrene, the following measures are used:

• systematic examinations with a focus on changes in the mammary gland;
• wiping the udder before milking with a towel soaked in sodium hypochlorite;
• after milking, the nipples are smeared with a disinfectant.

Conclusion

Udder gangrene in cows occurs mainly as a side effect of mastitis. Because of this, the issue of prevention of this disease, timely detection by clinical signs and effective treatment is acute.