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They learned how to treat warts in a cow on the udder in ancient times. Now, some cattle owners are still using old folk methods, ignoring modern methods of treating papillomatosis. Often, growths on the udder disappear on their own, however, in some cases, papillomas lead to sad consequences and death of the animal. Every cow owner should know how this disease manifests itself and how to prevent 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 bovine papillomatosis belongs to the DNA genomic viruses of the Papovaviridae family, the Papillomavirus genus.
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 the service personnel;
- through the inventory for the care of animals;
- when branding;
- with the bites of blood-sucking insects.
Infection with the virus can occur during mating with papillomatosis of the genital organs in a bull. However, in this case, neoplasms appear on the mucous membranes of the genitals. Calves during the suckling period, feeding on the milk of a sick cow, which has nipple growths, can also become infected with this unpleasant disease.
Animals that are kept in unsanitary conditions often suffer from papillomatosis. Dirty feeders, drinkers, dampness, non-observance of basic hygiene standards during milking affect the health of cattle.
A decrease in immunity and the manifestation of the disease also lead to:
- unbalanced feeding;
- poor quality feed;
- lack of exercise and high-quality watering place.
On pastures, there are frequent cases of infection of animals when drinking from dirty stagnant reservoirs, ponds.
Neoplasms can affect any part of the animal's body. In cows, the udder is most often affected. During the grazing period, with free grazing, animals often receive microtrauma to the udder. In the stall period, they are also not excluded during machine milking or crowded keeping of cattle.
Infection of the animal with the virus can occur through cracks, scratches and abrasions on the nipples. A cow's udder warts appear as small, dense and smooth growths that can grow in size over time and cover the entire breast area, including the nipples. The sizes of benign neoplasms range from millet grain to chicken eggs.
Papillomas grow slowly, so small nodules in the first months of the disease are completely invisible. In severe cases, the warts coalesce (grow together) and form folds.
Why are udder growths in a cow dangerous?
In some cases, udder growths go away without treatment. Often, warts disappear during pregnancy or after calving. Therefore, many owners are in no hurry to take any measures when small papillomas are found, especially in young animals. However, veterinary specialists believe that the manifestation of papillomatosis cannot 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 grow up to 10-15 cm in diameter. After 4-6 months, the warts thicken, dry out and disappear after 8-12 weeks. When injured, 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 cow's udder becomes lumpy and painful. Small blood clots can be seen in milk when milking. The productivity of the animal drops sharply.
In the absence of drug treatment, papillomas block the nipple canal and prevent secretion from excreting. 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 delete 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 udder warts from a cow
Treatment of papillomas on the udder in 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 you find a single, large wart on the udder of a cow, you can use the old and proven method - bandaging the growth with a silk thread. This method of removing a wart can be used if the growth is narrowed at the root (has a leg). Ligation of the base of the papilloma interferes with the blood supply to the neoplasm, and after a while it dries up and disappears.
Large and medium sized udder warts should be removed. Papillomas can reach impressive sizes - the size of a chicken egg or 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. A suture is applied to the wound 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 remedy "Antiborodavka", salicylic ointment is also used.
The diet of a sick cow includes magnesium sulfate at a dosage of 30-50 g for 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 in the evening. Previously, 1 ml of 2% novocaine solution is injected under the base of the neoplasm. You can also apply novocaine blockade with 1% solution at a dosage of 60-80 ml (intravenously) with an interval of one day. In total, 3-5 injections need to be made. 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 the warts once a day or juicing 2-3 times a day;
- you can cure warts in a cow on the udder 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 breast a mixture of grated garlic and lard (in a 1: 1 ratio) twice a day;
- lubrication of the affected skin areas with milk serum for a month;
- rubbing a mixture of crushed horseradish root with salt in a 1: 1 ratio into the affected areas 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 solid oil. Every time after milking for 2-3 weeks (before applying the mixture, wash the desired area with clean warm water);
- washing the udder bowl and teats with a warm decoction of lungwort (1 tbsp. l 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 the barns clean - remove manure on time, change the bedding twice a day;
- avoid crowded keeping of animals;
- thoroughly disinfect equipment, care items, feeders and drinkers;
- infected animals should be immediately isolated from healthy ones, and the room should be disinfected;
- before milking, the udder of a cow should be inspected for microtraumas, washed with warm water and wiped dry;
- Before and after milking, the skin can be treated with the Caring Milkmaid ointment, which helps heal cracks, scratches and restore the epithelium.
In some animals carrying the virus, the disease does not manifest. Therefore, cattle owners are advised to carry out regular preventive examinations and laboratory tests.
The best prevention of cattle papillomatosis is vaccination. Usually veterinarians make the vaccine on their own using biomaterial (papillomas) of sick animals. With frequent manifestations of papillomatosis in large herds, young animals are first vaccinated at the age of 12 months. Revaccination is carried out in two weeks.
Conclusion
There are many ways to treat udder warts on a cow. Medication should be carried out only 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 the infection of a cow with a virus, it is necessary to follow the rules for keeping the animal, to carry out preventive examinations of the udder for neoplasms, and also to vaccinate cattle on time.
