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They learned to treat warts in a cow on the udder in ancient times. Now, some cattle owners still use the old folk methods, ignoring modern methods of treating papillomatosis. Often the growths on the udder disappear on their own, however, in some cases, papillomas lead to sad consequences and the death of the animal. Each owner of cows should know how this disease manifests itself, and methods for preventing papillomatosis in cattle.
Why does a cow have warts on her udder
Bovine papillomatosis is a chronic viral disease characterized by the formation of benign tumors (warts) on the mucous membranes and skin. The causative agent of papillomatosis in cattle belongs to the DNA genomic viruses of the Papovaviridae family, genus Papillomavirus.
Infection of an animal most often occurs in direct contact with a carrier of the virus when infected and healthy cows are kept together, as well as:
- through the hands of service personnel;
- through animal care equipment;
- when branding;
- with bites of blood-sucking insects.
Infection with the virus can occur during mating with genital papillomatosis in a bull. However, in this case, neoplasms appear on the mucous membranes of the genital organs. Calves in the suckling period, feeding on the milk of a sick cow that has growths on the nipples, can also become infected with this unpleasant disease.
Papillomatosis often affects animals that are kept in unsanitary conditions. Dirty feeders, drinkers, dampness, non-compliance with basic hygiene standards during milking affect the health of cattle.
The following also lead to a decrease in immunity and the manifestation of the disease:
- unbalanced feeding;
- poor feed quality;
- lack of exercise and quality watering.
In grazing, cases of infection of animals are not uncommon when drinking from dirty stagnant reservoirs and ponds.
Neoplasms can affect any part of the animal’s body. In cows, the udder most often suffers. In the grazing period, with free grazing, animals often receive microtrauma of the udder. In the stall period, they are also not excluded during machine milking or crowded keeping of cattle.
Through cracks, scratches and abrasions on the nipples, an animal can become infected with a virus. Warts on the udder of a cow appear as small, dense and smooth neoplasms that can grow in size over time and cover the entire area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe mammary gland, including the nipples. The sizes of benign neoplasms vary from millet grain to a chicken egg.
Papillomas grow slowly, so small nodules in the first months of the disease are completely invisible. In severe cases, the warts come together (grow together) and form folds.
What are dangerous growths on the udder of a cow
In some cases, growths on the udder go away without treatment. Often warts disappear during pregnancy or after calving. Therefore, many owners are in no hurry to take any action when small papillomas are found, especially in young animals. However, veterinarians believe that the manifestation of papillomatosis should not be ignored, since this disease primarily indicates a decrease in immunity.
From the moment of infection to the appearance of the first neoplasms, it takes from three to eight weeks. The first small growths, as a rule, do not cause discomfort to the animal. However, over time, small papillomas can increase to 10-15 cm in diameter. After 4-6 months, the warts thicken, dry out and fall off after 8-12 weeks. When traumatized, the warts begin to bleed, ulcerate and become easily infected.
In some cases, papillomas form inside the nipple (on the epithelium of the nipple canal) and the milk cistern. The udder of the cow becomes bumpy and painful. When milked, small blood clots can be seen in the milk. The productivity of the animal is sharply reduced.
In the absence of drug treatment, papillomas block the nipple canal and prevent the secretion from being removed. The cow develops mastitis, edema and udder atrophy.
Sometimes even small papillomas degenerate into a malignant tumor, which can lead to the death of the animal. Therefore, it is not recommended to remove it yourself.
If warts are found on the skin of the udder of a cow, first of all, it is necessary to call a veterinarian at home or consult a specialist by taking a photo of the neoplasms. In any case, the diagnosis of papillomatosis is made on the basis of laboratory tests.
How to remove warts on the udder of a cow
Treatment of papillomas on the udder of cows must begin with a thorough analysis of the diet and conditions of the animals. If growths are detected on the skin of the mammary gland and other parts of the body, the sick individual should be isolated from the herd.
If a single, large wart is found on the udder of a cow, you can use the old and proven method – tying the growth with a silk thread. This method of removing a wart can be used if the growth narrows at the root (has a leg). Bandaging the base of the papilloma prevents the blood supply to the neoplasm, and after a while it dries out and disappears.
Large and medium-sized warts on the udder of a cow should be removed. Papillomas can reach impressive sizes – with a chicken egg or a walnut. Before removal, 1-2 ml of a 2% solution of novocaine is injected into the base of the papilloma, then the tumor is removed along with the skin. The wound is sutured and treated with antiseptics. Small and flat warts can be lubricated with acetic acid, salicylic ointment.
For quick healing of wounds after removal or cauterization of warts, you can use the suspension “Aluminum Spray”, a broad-spectrum antibiotic “Terramycin Spray”.
With extensive damage to the udder of a cow with growths, complex treatment is necessary. Outside, papillomas are cauterized with nitric, carbolic acid, lapis, high-frequency currents (electrocoagulation) or treated with liquid nitrogen.
To get rid of warts and their rapid removal from the cow’s udder, an effective anti-wart remedy, salicylic ointment, is also used.
In the diet of a sick cow, magnesia sulfate is included in a dosage of 30-50 g in a course of 10 days. To stabilize the body’s defense system, it is necessary to conduct a course of immunostimulating drugs:
- “Gamavit”;
- “Fosprenil”;
- “Interferon”;
- “Mixoferon”;
- “Eleovit”.
Also, intramuscular injections of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) are prescribed for two days in the morning and evening. Previously, 1 ml of a 2% solution of novocaine is injected under the base of the neoplasm. You can also apply novocaine blockade with a 1% solution at a dosage of 60-80 ml (intravenously) with an interval of one day. In total it is necessary to make 3-5 injections. For the treatment of warts, intravenous administration of a 1% solution of novocaine and penicillin is also used.
Folk remedies for the treatment of papillomas in cattle
To remove warts on milking cows, you can use simple and effective folk methods:
- wiping the udder with a decoction of sprouted potatoes (or peel) three times a day;
- applying finely grated onion mass to warts once a day or processing with juice 2-3 times a day;
- you can cure warts on the udder of a cow by lubricating it with a mixture of one glass (200-250 ml) of vegetable oil heated in a pan with chopped onions and wax (20-25 g) for 7-14 days;
- spot treatment of growths on the udder of a cow with ammonia;
- applying to the affected areas of the mammary gland a mixture of grated garlic and lard (in a ratio of 1: 1) twice a day;
- lubrication of the affected areas of the skin with whey for a month;
- rubbing into the affected areas a mixture of chopped horseradish root and salt in a 1: 1 ratio until complete recovery;
- daily lubrication of the nipples with castor oil for 30-40 days;
- treatment of areas of the udder affected by papillomas with grease. Every time after milking for 2-3 weeks (before applying the mixture, wash the desired area with clean warm water);
- washing the bowl of the udder and nipples with a warm decoction of the lungwort (1 tbsp. dry grass for 2 tbsp. boiling water) during the day (4-6 times).
Prevention of papillomatosis in cows
To prevent the occurrence of udder papillomatosis in cows, it is necessary to follow the basic rules for keeping cattle:
- keep barns clean – remove manure on time, change bedding twice a day;
- prevent crowded keeping of animals;
- thoroughly disinfect inventory, care items, feeders and drinkers;
- infected animals should be immediately isolated from healthy ones, and the room should be disinfected;
- before milking, the cow’s udder must be inspected for microtraumas, washed with warm water and wiped dry;
- before and after milking, the skin can be treated with Caring Milkmaid ointment, which promotes healing of cracks, scratches and restoration of the epithelium.
Some animals that carry the virus do not show the disease. Therefore, owners of cattle are advised to conduct regular preventive examinations and laboratory tests.
The best prevention of bovine papillomatosis is vaccination. Usually, veterinarians make the vaccine on their own, using biomaterial (papillomas) from sick animals. With the frequent manifestation of papillomatosis in large herds, young animals are vaccinated for the first time at the age of 12 months. Revaccination is carried out in two weeks.
Conclusion
There are many ways to treat warts in a cow on the udder. Medical treatment should only be carried out by a veterinarian. Severe forms of papillomatosis can lead to udder atrophy and the degeneration of a benign neoplasm into a malignant tumor. To prevent infection of a cow with a virus, it is necessary to follow the rules for keeping the animal, conduct preventive examinations of the udder for neoplasms, and vaccinate cattle on time.
