Cattle Mastitis Treatment

Mastitis – a common inflammatory disease of the mammary glands. It most often affects pregnant or recently calved cows. During this period, animals are weakened and thus become susceptible to diseases. Without properly selected treatment, mastitis can lead to serious consequences. To avoid them, it is necessary to detect and treat the disease in time. To do this, one needs to know the causes and symptoms of mastitis in cows, how to ensure treatment and care for the sick animal. We will discuss this in detail in the article.

Causes of mastitis in cows

Inflammation of the mammary glands in cows is caused by pathogenic microorganisms, most often staphylococci. Bacteria can enter the udder through cracks after mechanical injuries: due to improper milking, insect bites, any trauma during grazing, etc.

Also, causes of mastitis in cows may include burns, hypothermia, high levels of veterinary drugs in the blood. In such cases, the animals are severely weakened, so bacteria in the body begin to multiply freely. Infection can enter the udder from other organs via the bloodstream.

High humidity, frequent temperature fluctuations, and poor sanitation increase the risk of disease development in cattle.

Types of mastitis in cows

Based on symptoms, several forms of mastitis are distinguished:

• Subclinical. It progresses symptomlessly and can only be detected through laboratory testing. Untreated subclinical form may progress and transition into clinical mastitis in cows.
• Chronic. Develops if short-term acute inflammation ends in pseudo-recovery. Curdles and flakes appear in the milk. Without treatment, chronic mastitis may manifest in periods of exacerbation.
• Serosal. Often develops after severe calving. The affected udder swells, hardens, and turns red. Milking causes pain for the cow. Milk separates quickly into flakes when boiled.
• Catarrhal. This form of mastitis is caused by milk stasis. It most often affects parts of the udder where firm nodules are easily palpable. Milk becomes curd-like.
• Fibrinous. Develops after catarrhal, when the affected part of the udder hardens. Blood appears in the milk, and cows show general signs of inflammation: weakness, fever.
• Purulent. This mastitis affects the entire udder. It swells and becomes painful. Gangrene may develop in the lesions. A distinguishing feature – pus in the milk.
• Hemorrhagic. The most dangerous form of mastitis. During milking, blood clots appear. The cow loses appetite, has difficulty breathing. Temperature rises, severe weakness, and other signs of intoxication.

Mixed forms of mastitis often develop. But with the onset of any of them, milk becomes dangerous for consumption, so it cannot be sold. As a result, milk yields decrease, and the farm suffers significant losses. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mastitis using veterinary instruments.

Treatment of mastitis in cows

The method of mastitis therapy is selected by the veterinarian based on the type of disease. Antibiotics or other drugs may be prescribed.

The sick animal must be isolated from the rest of the herd. The diet should consist mainly of drier feed, and drinking should be limited.

Cows undergoing treatment must be kept in a warm room without drafts, with bedding on a clean floor. Milk should be manually expressed every 3-4 hours.

The duration of therapy depends on the severity of the disease. However, treatment of hemorrhagic mastitis will take the longest time for cows.