Contents
The health of a cow is one of the main concerns of its owner. You can’t get milk from an unwell animal. Even a lack of desire to eat can affect milk yield. And if you feel unwell, milk can disappear altogether. If the cow does not eat, does not drink, there is no cud, this means that it is necessary to find out the reason as soon as possible. Even if the animal looks healthy on the outside, something is wrong with it. And this “not so” is very serious. The lack of chewing gum in cows always means problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
What is “chewing gum” in cows
According to the Huck brothers, the extinct tour did not fundamentally differ from the domesticated cattle: a large body with short legs, a powerful neck and a broad-browed head. Such an animal is not adapted to a long run when escaping from predators. His weapon is stealth, and in open clashes, great physical strength.
Tours lived on the edges of forests and tried not to catch the eye of predators. But the latter are divided into day and night. The former see well during the day, the latter at night. But at dusk, vision fails both groups. Thus, only short pre-dawn and pre-sunset minutes were left for foraging tours.
Evolution took the path of “gathering as much food as possible and calmly eat it in a safe shelter.” The scar acts as a backpack – the largest section of the stomach. Although rather it is an enlarged pocket of the esophagus.
Quickly picking up whole stalks of grass, the tour retired into the undergrowth at the edge of the forest. It is difficult to notice a motionless dark animal in the bushes. There, on the hay, the tour calmly ate everything that he quickly grabbed while grazing at dusk. To do this, he burped the plucked grass in small portions and chewed it again. It is this process that is called chewing gum today.
Nobody changed the principles of digestion in domesticated cattle. The cow does not eat short grass because she does not have incisors in her upper jaw. She grabs the plants with her tongue, “winds” them and plucks them as she pleases. Sometimes with roots and earth. Having stuffed the scar with food, the cow lies down on the cud.
The work of the proventriculus is built in such a way that regurgitation occurs due to the contraction of the walls of the scar. The food crushed during chewing goes to another part of the stomach. Only there begins the real digestion of feed.
There is only one true stomach in a cow: abomasum, the remaining 3 sections are proventriculus
List of reasons why a cow does not have a cud
Any disease that affects the cow’s digestive tract leads to the cessation of ruminating. In infectious diseases, there are other symptoms that can be used to establish a preliminary diagnosis. But sometimes a cow loses weight for no apparent reason. This usually means that the disease is not contagious. But it does not become less dangerous.
The lack of chewing gum leads to:
- traumatic reticulitis;
- tympanum;
- scar atony;
- rumen acidosis;
- poisoning;
- calving;
- many other reasons.
It is possible to immediately recognize the cause of the problem only in two cases: it is known that the cow is about to calve, and the swollen sides of the animal are visible to the naked eye. In all other cases, if the cow suddenly lost her appetite and chewing gum, you need to call the veterinarian.
Traumatic reticulitis
Capturing grass along with the earth and everything that a person can throw out for grazing, a cow often swallows sharp, hard objects. But you can do without damaging the mucous membrane. To disrupt the operation of the scar, it is enough for the animal to swallow a certain amount of balls for the bearing. The heaviness in the scar will not allow the muscles to contract properly, and the work of the pancreas will stop.
Traumatic reticulitis has a wide range of symptoms, making diagnosis difficult. With the accumulation of blunt objects in the scar, the disease develops gradually. The cow is losing weight, eating poorly, her milk yield is decreasing. But all this is happening slowly.
In the acute course of reticulitis, that is, a foreign body pierced the wall of the scar, the deterioration of the cow’s condition occurs quickly:
- the temperature rises for a short time;
- observe general oppression;
- the chewing gum disappears due to the weakening of the contractions of the scar;
- soreness appears.
Treatment of traumatic reticulitis is carried out using a magnetic probe, which is pushed into the scar. Before the procedure, the cow is kept on a starvation diet, but they are given plenty to drink. The liquid helps clear the rumen of food.
The introduction of the probe, in the absence of the necessary skills, it is better to entrust the veterinarian. More than one such procedure may be required, as a whole warehouse of scrap metal is sometimes collected in the rumen of a cow.
When the problematic item cannot be removed, the cattle are usually slaughtered. Surgery is expensive and impractical due to the fact that it is difficult to find the puncture site. An exception is animals that are valuable in breeding terms.
All the metal and other debris eaten by the cow along with the feed settles in the largest proventriculus – the rumen.
Tympany
There is only one option when tympania is a disease, not a symptom. It’s called primary. It occurs as a result of a cow eating a large amount of easily fermenting or spoiled feed. In calves during the transition from dairy to plant foods. In all other cases, this is a symptom of another disease, which is called secondary tympania.
Scar swelling can be acute or chronic.
In acute cases, the cow eats and drinks poorly, the volume of the scar quickly increases, and the chewing gum disappears. The latter disappears due to the fact that the walls of the scar expand as a result of the accumulation of gases and cannot contract normally. Primary acute tympania develops due to poor-quality and fermenting feed, secondary – with blockage of the esophagus, infectious diseases and poisoning.
Chronic tympania is always secondary. Occurs due to other types of diseases. The scar periodically swells, but the symptoms are blurred. The cow eats and drinks, but gradually loses weight.
Atony
The difference between hypotension and atony of the scar in the degree of symptoms. With the first, the number and strength of contractions of the walls of the scar decrease, and with the second they disappear completely. One of the causes of primary atony may be that the cow drinks little water.
The rest is “traditional”:
- spoiled food;
- an excess of straw and branches in the diet;
- feeding a large amount of fermentation waste;
- excess concentrates;
- lack of exercise;
- crowding;
- long hauls;
- other inappropriate conditions of detention.
In acute hypotension, scar contractions are weak. Chewing gum can be sluggish, short, rare or absent altogether. In acute atony, the scar stops shrinking altogether. The cow does not drink water well, which causes a slight degree of dehydration. You can notice this by the dryness of the manure. Acts of defecation are rare. Symptoms of the disease may not be noticed if you rarely contact the cow. According to other signs, temperature, pulse and respiration, it is impossible to determine acute atony. These figures are almost normal.
In chronic atony, the deterioration of the cow’s condition alternates with improvement. Diarrhea is replaced by constipation. Exhaustion progresses.
Treatment begins only after the cause of the disease is established, since otherwise attempts to help can do harm. The veterinarian prescribes therapy.
Rumen acidosis
So called increased acidity in the rumen. Acidosis is chronic or subacute.
The causes of the development of the disease – feeding a large amount of carbonaceous feed:
- apples;
- sugar beets;
- corn;
- silo;
- grain concentrates.
All of these foods are considered “milking”, and owners sometimes increase their proportion to the detriment of high-fiber hay and straw. Such unbalanced feeding leads to a change in the composition of the microflora in the rumen, an increase in the concentration of fatty acids and the development of metabolic acidosis.
The cow refuses to eat, but may drink a lot of water in an attempt to reduce acidity. The state of the animal is depressed, the gait is unsteady. Fecal masses are liquid, gray or yellow-green in color.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of anamnesis and laboratory studies of cicatricial juice, so a veterinarian is indispensable. Treatment is carried out with the use of drugs that reduce acidity. Be sure to change the cow’s diet. With the elimination of the causes and timely treatment, the prognosis for acidosis is favorable.
Poisoning
In case of poisoning, cows are far from always depressed. Some poisons cause excitation of the nervous system. The most common symptom of food poisoning is an upset stomach. In almost all types of poisoning, cows stop eating, but they can drink more than usual. Scar atony or timpania is often observed, which automatically means the absence of chewing gum.
When poisoned, cows often cannot rise to their feet.
Hotel
Chewing gum is a sign of a calm, relaxed state of the cow. With any distractions, fear, pain, and so on, the chewing gum stops. Before calving, not only the hormonal restructuring of the body takes place, preparing the cow for milk production. Approximately a day before the birth of the calf, the position of the internal organs begins to change: the stomach drops, the ligaments of the hip joint become elastic. The eve of contractions begins, which also does not add peace of mind to the cow. The cow often does not eat or even drink before calving.
In case of complications after calving, there will also be:
- bad state of health;
- refusal to feed;
- unwillingness to drink;
- lack of gum;
- desire to lie down.
Elevated temperature is possible with the development of inflammatory processes.
But even without complications, at first the cow will only drink water. Warm and, preferably, sweetened drink should be offered to the animal immediately after calving. Whether a cow will eat willingly on the first day depends on her health and well-being.
But there are few such cows. Basically, the first time the chewing gum appears when the calf, standing on its legs, begins to suck on the udder. In the first 2-3 days after calving, chewing gum may be mild. At this time, the internal organs of the cow are still “falling into place”. It does not contribute to a relaxed state.
Worse, if the cow refuses to eat, does not drink, does not try to stand up and does not chew the cud. She is more likely to have complications.
Postpartum complications
By and large, all postpartum complications, one way or another, lead to the fact that the cow does not eat or drink, or does so reluctantly. Almost all such problems are accompanied by severe pain, in which chewing gum is always absent. The development of inflammatory processes with the onset of fever may increase thirst, but not appetite.
Most often, calving takes place safely, but it is better that it is not on a trampled, polluted pasture, but in a special box with clean bedding.
Postpartum hemoglobinuria of cows
Most often it develops in high-yielding cows shortly after calving. In Our Country, it is most common in the Asian part. Presumably it can occur in other regions of the country, but there it is mistaken for feed poisoning, leptospirosis, piroplasmosis or a cold.
The etiology of the disease is not fully understood. Observations have shown that with a high degree of probability the main cause is phosphorus deficiency. Hemoglobinuria developed in cows fed large amounts of feed rich in oxalic acid.
At the initial stage of the disease, oppression is observed in cows. The animal does not eat well, but drinks a lot of water, as it has a slight fever. Diarrhea and hypotension develop. The chewing gum becomes less intense or disappears altogether. Yields are declining. Obvious signs of hemoglobinuria appear only at the second stage of development: dark cherry urine containing protein and decay products of blood and kidneys.
The prognosis is usually unfavorable. Within 3 days, a case or forced slaughter of up to 70% of diseased cows is possible. Since the disease is caused by feeding disorders, immunity is not developed.
When treating, first of all, feeds that cause the disease are excluded. They give a solution of sodium bicarbonate to drink, 100 g per day, in a course of 3-4 days. Supportive care is also given.
Milk fever
This problem is hard to ignore. Most often it develops when high-yielding cows are fed a large amount of concentrates. Signs may appear even before calving, although the “standard” development of the disease occurs 2-3 days after the birth of the calf. In non-standard – during calving or 1-3 weeks after it.
Since paresis is paralysis of the limbs, gastrointestinal tract and other organs, the cow does not eat or drink. The chewing gum is missing. It is difficult to do something if the muscles are paralyzed. The owner will easily notice the disease, as the cow cannot stand, and the neck is S-shaped.
Treatment is carried out therapeutically, but you cannot do without a veterinarian. The treatment method includes pumping the udder with air using the Evers apparatus. It is unlikely that this machine will be in the personal possession of a small farmer. It is easier to take preventive measures by providing the cow with a balanced diet. Before calving and immediately after it, sweet water is given to drink.
Judging by the protruding bones, paresis is not the only problem in this cow.
Uterine prolapse
With this complication, the cow does not eat or drink, and does not remember chewing gum. She has a hefty bag of red flesh dangling from behind, pulling on her insides, causing great pain. In this situation, there is no question of food, drink, or chewing gum. But the owner is unlikely to pay attention to such trifles at such a moment. Repositioning the uterus will require a veterinarian with painkillers and several people.
One of the reasons for the subsequent prolapse of the uterus in a cow is heavy calving, forcible pulling out of the calf and dryness of the birth canal.
What to do if the cow has no gum
Remove the cause. The gum will appear on its own when the cow’s condition returns to normal, she will start eating, drinking and will no longer experience pain. There was an experience of “treatment of despair” in a remote village with tympania: remove the cud from the mouth of a healthy cow and feed it to a sick one. This will help restore the bacterial balance in the rumen. Or maybe not. But it won’t get worse.
Why does a cow refuse to eat?
She has many reasons for this:
- infectious diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract;
- non-communicable diseases caused by violations in the content and unbalanced diet;
- mechanical blockage anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract.
The most common problems with an unbalanced diet of dairy cows are ketosis and lack of calcium.
Ketosis
Occurs with a lack of glucose and an excess of fat and protein in the diet. But an important role in the development of ketosis is played by a chronic lack of a complex of macronutrients in the feed:
- cobalt;
- copper;
- iodine;
- zinc;
- manganese.
The subclinical form of the disease does not appear outwardly, so this stage is missed in private and small farms. At the initial stage of clinical manifestations, the cow is reluctant to eat, the cud periodically disappears due to hypotension of the scar, and the appetite is perverted. Since milk production is also declining, the owner begins to worry. But milk yields are reduced due to each sneeze.
The severe form of ketosis is characterized by the fact that the cow does not eat or drink. The chewing gum disappears completely due to the atony of the scar. The state of excitement is replaced by oppression. Body temperature is low. In addition, observe:
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- enlarged liver;
- reduced diuresis;
- acid reaction of urine and rumen contents;
- mastitis;
- violations of the reproductive function;
- postpartum complications.
Treatment of the disease is carried out with the help of injections of glucose, insulin, Sharabrin liquid and other necessary drugs. Depending on the type of medication, something is injected intravenously, something subcutaneously, and Sharabrin’s liquid is injected into the abdominal cavity. So no need for a veterinarian.
In addition to drug therapy, symptomatic treatment of the disease is carried out with drugs that stimulate chewing gum, cardiac and sedatives.
Easily digestible carbohydrates are introduced into the cow’s diet, bringing their ratio with protein to 1,5:1. Drink sweet water. A complex of micro- and macroelements is also added to the feed.
Ketosis in a cow can occur even with free grazing, if grasses are poor in macronutrients
Lack of calcium
He’s hypocalcemia. Other names:
- postpartum paresis;
- hypocalcemic fever;
- birth paresis;
- puerperal apoplexy;
- puerperal coma;
- milk fever.
Signs of a lack of calcium are described above in the section “Maternity Paresis”.
Other reasons
In addition to beriberi, the lack of various elements and the listed problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the cow often does not eat or drink for other reasons. One of them: mechanical blockage of the esophagus.
This is a common disease of cows who swallow feed for the first time without chewing. It may be complete or incomplete. With incomplete blockage, the animal drinks a little, but does not eat. The chewing gum also stops. There is a problem when swallowing pieces of wire, nails and other objects that get stuck in the esophagus, but do not completely block the passage.
With a complete blockage, the cow does not eat, does not drink, and cannot chew cud. She is worried. Salivation, frequent swallowing movements, scar flatulence are observed.
With timely assistance, the cow will recover. But if the blockage is complete, and treatment is not provided, then the animal suffocates within a few hours. So it is impossible to delay when blocking the esophagus.
What to do if the cow is not eating well
Check the state of her health and oral cavity. Under certain circumstances, cattle may refuse to drink, but not eat. If the cow has lost a lot of weight, but willingly, at first glance, eats and drinks, she has stomatitis with a high degree of probability. The animal is hungry and tries to eat, but cannot chew food.
Stomatitis
This is a common disease in domesticated herbivores that cannot lead a natural lifestyle and eat a variety of food.
Causes of stomatitis:
- improper abrasion of molars;
- inept giving of drugs that cause burns of the mucous membrane of the tongue and oral cavity;
- feeding very roughage;
- eating poisonous plants;
- diseases of the scar and pharynx;
- infectious diseases.
With stomatitis, the cow may initially swallow the feed, which creates the impression of a good appetite. But there is no chewing gum, and unprocessed food is sent back to the rumen. When feeding with compound feed pellets, the already soaked concentrate can also pass into the stomach. But with a lack of roughage, gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic disorders develop.
Stomatitis, due to which the cow does not eat and almost does not drink, may be a symptom of foot and mouth disease
Why doesn’t the cow drink?
If only a sick animal does not eat, then an absolutely healthy cow can not drink. Reasons cattle refuse to drink:
- enough water in the lush grass in the pasture;
- the water in the drinking bowl is dirty;
- in winter the water is too cold to drink.
In summer, when grazing on a lush herbage, a cow may not drink water for 2-3 days. Although sometimes she probably drinks a little, but it is almost not noticeable compared to the usual rate.
In winter, cows should be allowed to drink water not lower than + 10-15 ° C. Otherwise, after a couple of sips, the animal will refuse water. And with a lack of fluid, saliva will be too small to properly soak the chewing gum.
A thirsty cow will drink even stinking water with worms, but then you should not be surprised that she refuses to eat, and she does not have a chewing gum due to problems with the gastrointestinal tract
Preventive measures
Any disease is always easier to prevent than to treat later. Or not to treat, but immediately slaughter the cow. In addition, prevention measures for most diseases are very simple. It is enough just to adequately keep livestock:
- provide a full exercise;
- monitor the receipt of the required amount of ultraviolet radiation by the cow (in other words, walking all daylight hours);
- do not give spoiled feed;
- do not feed moldy hay;
- observe the necessary proportions in the diet between different types of feed;
- monitor the purity and temperature of the water.
To prevent infectious diseases, it is necessary to vaccinate the cow in time and follow the usual sanitary and veterinary rules.
Conclusion
If the cow does not eat, does not drink, there is no chewing gum – this is an occasion to fall into a slight panic and start calling the veterinarian. It can be considered lucky if it is “just” timpania, and there are remedies for it in the home first aid kit. In all other cases, the cow needs the help of a veterinarian.