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Troubleshooting[edit | edit source]

Cows are pretty tough but things do go wrong. I will outline a few potential issues here:

Mastitis[edit | edit source]

Mastitis is the infection of the udder. It is routinely treated with anti-biotics. Good management and hygiene can reduce the spread. Please read the following to learn about how to identify and handle a cow with mastitis:

http://www.nadis.org.uk/bulletins/mastitis-control-and-management/mastitis-part-4-detecting-and-treating-clinical-mastitis.aspx

http://ansci.illinois.edu/static/ansc438/Mastitis/detection.html

Milk Fever[edit | edit source]

The result of a lack of calcium. Usually happens soon after calving. The symptoms include:

  • Tremors
  • Unable to stand
  • Cold ears
  • Dry nose
  • Staring eyes

Likely this cow will be in a box (just calved), give her a bottle of calcium solution injected.

Failure to cleanse[edit | edit source]

When a cow calves she is very often left with the placenta inside her. You can identify this easily. It is very important to remove this manually if she hasn't cleansed naturally after 24 hours.

Lameness[edit | edit source]

Cows will have their feet trimmed and checked regularly (see timetable). That said there is much that can go wrong with the bovine hoof:

  • Hard and soft feet. Feet kept in poor condition can develop infections, ulcers and abscesses, if they are too hard they can develop cracks and more serious problems.
  • Foot rot. "A smelly infection of the foot, which generally occurs high between the claws or toes, is referred to as foot rot. Cattle will show lameness, usually in one leg only. The foot swells above the coronet and toes spread. Cracks and fissures develop in the space. If left untreated, it can progress into the joint space or tendon sheath creating permanent damage."
  • Laminitis. Generally speaking only affect recently calved cows. If you see a cow will elongated and overgrown looking feet then this could potentially be laminitis.

Calving issues[edit | edit source]

  • Once a heifer starts calving the calf should be out in 4 hours. If not call Martin.
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