Content
Fibrinous mastitis in cows is one of the most dangerous forms of mastitis. It is characterized by inflammation of the udder and abundant formation of fibrin in the alveoli, milk ducts, and thick tissues. Fibrinous mastitis is considered a severe pathology, as the disease develops rapidly. A complete recovery is impossible, since the nodes formed at the base of the teats remain, causing discomfort to the cow and preventing the animal from returning to its previous productivity.
What is fibrinous mastitis
Mastitis is a fairly common disease that interferes with the increase in milk production of an individual, thereby causing economic damage. In addition to reducing milk production, mastitis contributes to premature culling of livestock, increased incidence of disease in calves, and deterioration in product quality.
Healthy cow udder
As for fibrinous mastitis, the pathology in this form extends to a certain portion of the udder. The disease develops very quickly, occurs in an acute form, and is characterized by a serious condition of the animal. Often takes a fibrous-purulent course.Often fibrinous mastitis causes severe complications in the form of gangrene of the udder or is accompanied by purulent metastases to other organs and tissues of the cow.
Causes of fibrinous mastitis in cows
Fibrinous mastitis can occur at different physiological periods in an individual - during lactation, start-up and dry wood. The causes of the disease are varied: the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the animal’s digestive tract, mechanical, thermal and chemical factors.
When microorganisms penetrate, an inflammatory process occurs in the udder as the infection multiplies (viruses, fungi, mycoplasmas). The disease can also cause hormonal imbalance in the animal.
The mechanical cause of mastitis is the development of infection after injury to the udder or insect bites. As a rule, this is due to improper care of the cow and udder.
Chemical causes of fibrous mastitis include improper use of veterinary drugs. A cow's microflora is disrupted under the influence of toxins and this leads to changes in metabolic processes in the animal's body.
Thermal causes of mastitis are temperature changes. For example, overheating of an individual in summer, severe cooling of the udder in winter, wind and drafts. All this negatively affects the cow’s body and mammary glands.
However, most often fibrinous mastitis is a consequence of the catarrhal form of the disease. It may also occur after purulent endometritis, traumatic cervicitis, purulent pericarditis.
Symptoms of fibrinous mastitis in cows
Initial stage of mastitis
The main symptoms of fibrinous mastitis in cows include:
- a sharp decrease in milk production or agalactia;
- depressed state of the animal;
- increased body temperature;
- loss of appetite;
- enlargement of the superior lymph node;
- increased heart rate and breathing;
- rumen swelling, lack of chewing gum, atony of the proventriculus;
- It is difficult to squeeze out a few drops of cloudy liquid mixed with pus or fibrinous crumbs from the affected part of the udder;
- the udder is increased in volume;
- the affected quarter of the udder is swollen, hyperemic, hardened, painful on palpation, and crepitus is heard.
At the same time, the cow moos, does not allow the udder to be touched, often lames on her hind legs, prefers to lie down, and has difficulty getting up.
Diagnosis of the disease
Methods for examining livestock for the presence of fibrinous mastitis include the following:
- measuring body temperature, pulse rate and respiration;
- examination of the condition of the digestive tract;
- palpation of the udder, lymph nodes;
- blood, urine, milk analysis.
Milk is diagnosed by external signs and laboratory tests. In appearance, milk from a cow with mastitis is watery, lacks fat content and is heterogeneous.
You can test your milk at home. To do this, add 20 drops of Mastidine solution to 1 mm of milk and mix. The result can be checked after 20 minutes.
Treatment of fibrinous mastitis in cows
Treatment with antibiotics
Treatment of fibrinous mastitis should be comprehensive, since the disease affects the entire body. It is mandatory to take antibiotics, local medications, and physiotherapeutic procedures (paraffin therapy). Traditional medicine is often used as additional treatment methods. The diet of a cow with mastitis should be changed, vitamins and microelements should be added, and liquids and succulent feed should be limited.
Preventive actions
First of all, the prevention of fibrinous mastitis in cows consists of observing all necessary sanitary and hygienic standards for the care and maintenance of animals. Proper treatment of the cow's udder before and after the milking procedure is important, as well as the correct technique and massage of the mammary gland. In addition, a diet in accordance with the physiological state of the animal, as well as vitamin supplements and minerals, is important.
Conclusion
Fibrinous mastitis in cows is a complex disease of the animal’s udder, which develops rapidly and can have unpleasant consequences. An unadvanced disease responds well to treatment, but if the disease has become chronic or complications have arisen, the prognosis is unfavorable. The development of fibrous mastitis can be easily avoided by properly caring for the individual and creating a competent feeding diet.
