MORE POINTERS ON AFTER-CALVING CARE OF DAIRY STOCK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 73, 26 July 1948, Page 3

MORE POINTERS ON AFTER-CALVING CARE OF DAIRY STOCK

Further causes and treatment in ‘dealing with winter and spring wastage in dairy herds are given in the following .continuation of last week’s article:— Dopiness and inability to rise after calving, and sometimes lack of appetite, are the symptoms of aftercalving paralysis. This condition may arise after an attack of grass staggers, milk fever or other calving difficulties and is mainly due to some poisonous food waste in the blood which will render a beast liable. A reliable laxative is about 2 to 41bs of molasses in warm water. Further to assist the removal of the waste a stimulant drench of 1 dram of Nux Vomica and three drams of ammonium carbonate in a pint of water, night and morning, is good. Keep dry and warm and feed on good green feed and water regularly. Change of side is also important in treating the cow; this prevents sores.

Mastitis is a condition where the udder is affected with painful inflammation and a faulty milk supply. It is a case for the Veterinarian. First aid, is hot foments to the udder, constant but gentle stripping of the affected quarter and a gentle massage with camphorated oil. If inflammation is bad, a drench of lOozs of Epsom salts and £oz of ginger in warm water may be given, but not if the Vet. indicates the use of the Sulpha drug for the case. An outbreak of 1 Cowpox should be treated‘immediately as an outbreak of mastitis could result. Do not milk unaffected cows until the machines and hands have been well sterilised. Do not rush cows in full milk about as they may receive injury to themselves and may contract mastitis. Regular milking time is essential. . One of the main causes of spring loss in this district is bloat or tympany. This is caused by the formation of an over-amount of gases in the pa'unch which results in distention of the stomach, discomfort, stertorous breathing and death. It is imperative that the beast be treated straightaway. A bit in the mouth tied behind the poll, a dab of Stockholm tar on the tongue are old, but. efficient methods of relief, for slightly bloated animals. Kneading of the stomach for about 30 to 40 minutes is sometimes effective. A purgative drench should be given after the bloat is relieved—lOozs of Epsom salts and J of ginger is good. Tapping with a trocar and canula is very eeffctive. To do this the area midway between the last rib and the hook bone and a hand’s breadth out from the outer part of the backbone should be cleaned with methylated spirits for this is the place for the puncture to be made. If a cow bloats regularly and other cows on the same feed do not, her tubercular glands may be swelling and partially closing the gullet. If this does happen, the beast may be tubercular and a test by a Vet. for tuberculosis is indicated.

Temporary sterility is indicated when a cow returns to the bull frequently and could be due to the sterility of the bull. A test could be made of his semen. Another thing that causes a return to the bull may be a series of little abcesses on the passage leading to the womb and can be treated with a flushing of antiseptic. Dettol is as good as any, but a Vet’s, advice should be obtained. Trichomoniasis may be the cause also, of return to the bull after two or three months. This is noted by excretion of whitish foeti, about three inches long. This is serious, and a Vet. should be called.