Mammitis in Cows.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 248, 2 August 1928, Page 4

Mammitis in Cows.

A VIRULENT DISEASE. Correct Treatment Explained. Contagious in All Forms. The subject of mammitis, which is an important one to dairymen, was dealt with exhaustively by Mr. C. V. Dayus, Government veterinarian, in the course of a lecture to members of the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on Saturday evening. The lecturer explained that the udder was divided into two halves, and there was a dividing membrane between each quarter. Almost any inflammation in the udder was referred to as mammitis. The parts affected were the teat duct and the lining membrane of the milk reservoir and the secretory organs. In a bad case the three could be affected. Mammitis was characterised by a swelling in the gland or a change in the milk, which became thick, blood- | stained, yellow or sticky.

The actual cause was bacterial infection, and, in the speaker’s opinion, was contagious in all its forms. There was perhaps a difference in degree of infection. Three causes were now known—infection through the blood stream, the teat duct, or damage outside the, udder. Another theory was that the organism was latent normally in the udder but under certain conditions became virulent. When the blood stream was affected the germ was conveyed from another wound.

There had been considerable discussion on methods of curing mammitis. The essence of treatment lay in prevention. Cleanliness was the most important consideration. The

disease was one of domestication "and did not affect wild stock. Many blamed milking machines as a cause of mammitis. There were one or two ways that certainly contributed. One was the use of too high a vacuum. The pressure should never be above 15. He had proved thi3 by experience. Other causes were leaving the machines on the animals too long, and not properly stripping. Drying off the cow was of great importance. Often dormant milk was left in the udder and when the cow came in the quarter became affected. Sometimes there were cases of hard quarters caused by chills. This was due to congestion, and unless the quarter was milked out mammitis would occur. Care should he taken to isolate affected cows, milk them last and put the strippings into disinfectant. It was difficult to effectually cure virulent cases. Drainage was an essential and could be brought about by constant stripping. Massaging assisted, the movement being towards the teat. The more frequently massaging and stripping were carried out the more hope there was of recovery. In massaging, a lubricant was useful, but no irritant should he employed. Camphorated oil or olive oil were of value.

Investigations were being made as to the real cause of infection. Vaccine treatment had not given the results hoped for. There seemed little prospect of securing immunity, and cows that had been once cured of mammitis showed predisposition rathed than immunity. In Mr. Dayus’ opinion vaccines were of very doubtful value.