Content
Treatment of milk stones in a cow is an important therapeutic measure, on which the further productivity of the animal will depend. The causes of the pathology are varied, but most often they are associated with improper milking of milk from the cow's udder. Treatment is quite successful if the disease is detected in a timely manner.
What are milk stones
Milkstone is the deposition of certain salts, in particular calcium and phosphorus, in the mammary glands of a cow, the so-called calcification process. It is a non-contagious disease of cattle. The livestock breeder may notice small stones during milking, as there will be fine sand in the milk. Larger stones cannot come out on their own; they get stuck in the milk passages and make milking difficult. Sometimes they connect with each other and become larger. Stones can be different in density - hard, soft, loose, elastic. If treatment is not started when the first symptoms appear, the disease may develop into mastitis or some other pathologies. As a rule, veterinarians recommend reviewing the cow's feeding diet. Obviously, there is some imbalance of minerals.
The mammary glands and udder of an animal are a very delicate organ that requires careful attention from the breeder during milking and care. The udder is often exposed to external factors, injuries, infectious diseases, and inflammatory processes. This affects the quantity and quality of dairy products. However, the disease is highly treatable and rarely has complications.
Reasons for the formation of milk stones in cows
Milkstone disease is more often observed in individuals older than 5 years. The main cause of the pathology is milk retention, incomplete milking from the udder. Salts are formed in the milk residues, which are then converted into milk stones. There are a number of other reasons for the development of the disease in a cow:
- disruption of metabolic processes in the animal’s body;
- inflammatory processes in the walls of the mammary tract;
- failure to comply with hygiene standards;
- imbalance of microelements.
During milking, sand and small stones in the cow's teats can easily be felt through the skin.
Milk stones immediately after calving of a cow are nothing more than candied colostrum. As a rule, in this case there is no reason to worry.
Symptoms of milk stones in cows
At the beginning of the disease, some swelling of the udder can be detected; upon palpation, minor pockets of compaction are felt. Milk yield may decrease. As the disease progresses, the animal shows some anxiety, looks back, and moos. This indicates that the individual is experiencing pain. At the same time, the lymph nodes in the udder area become slightly enlarged. Milk stones, the largest in size, are felt through the nipples. At this stage of the disease, milk production decreases quite significantly.
As a rule, milk stone disease is observed throughout the udder, and inflammatory processes are not detected. The appearance of the milk practically does not change, only small grains of sand appear at the beginning of milking, in the first portions of milk. However, laboratory tests reveal increased acidity and a low percentage of fat content.
Milkstone disease should be differentiated from mastitis. With the development of this pathology, the temperature of one or more lobes of the mammary gland increases. At the same time, body temperature is reduced. Milk from a cow with mastitis should not be consumed. While it is recommended to prepare fermented milk products from milk from an individual with a history of milk stones.
How to treat milk stone in a cow
Veterinary experts offer several options for ridding a cow of milk stones:
- massage before and after milking;
- catheter use;
- surgical intervention;
- drug treatment;
- exposure to ultrasound.
Daily massage helps to get rid of stones. Before milking, the udder is washed with warm water, wiped with a clean towel and massage begins. It should be done carefully, stroking the udder from top to bottom towards the nipples, and then in the lateral directions. After this they move on to the nipples. They are squeezed to release milk. After this, wipe the udder with a hard cloth. Massage should be done before and after milking.
A catheter can be used to remove loose growths from a cow's teats.First, a special solution is introduced into the tank, which crushes the stones, and then during milking they are carefully squeezed out of the teats with milk.
Sometimes surgery is required if the stones are too large. To do this, the tank is opened, sutures are applied, stone formations are removed from the cow's udder, or a catheter is attached to her for a while.
Intravenous administration of oxytocin helps to quickly restore all the properties of milk. The drug is administered within 1 week. Recovery occurs in 2-3 weeks.
An effective way to combat milk stones in a cow is ultrasound. First, it is prepared for the procedure: the udder is washed and shaved, treated with a disinfectant solution and coated with glycerin. The device is moved along the cow's udder, gradually increasing the radiation power and exposure time. The manipulation is carried out daily. It will take from 2 to 10 sessions depending on the degree of the disease. Ultrasound allows drugs to penetrate the cow’s body faster.
Treatment of milk stones in a cow is described in the video.
Bougie is often used for treatment. It is injected into the canal and left for several minutes. Then they use a bougie of a wider diameter and increase the exposure time. The procedure can be repeated every three days.
Preventive actions
Intramuscular administration of oxytocin is also used to prevent milk stones in cows. But it is better to milk the cow completely, to the last drop, and care for the udder in accordance with hygiene standards. The formation of milk stones in a cow can be affected by improper starting.Often, due to a decrease in the number of milkings and regular milk retention, the process of stone formation increases significantly.
Animals should be closely monitored immediately after calving. During the colostrum period, they should be milked at least 5-6 times a day. It is at this time that many milk stones come out of the cow's udder. If they are retained in the gland, the milk ducts become clogged.
Conclusion
Treatment of milk stones in a cow is a necessity for any cattle owner. For many highly productive dairy cows, this disease is very typical. It does not cause significant economic damage, does not greatly affect the health of the animal, is quickly treatable, and does not cause complications. Like any other pathology, milk stones should be treated promptly.
