Dairy Stock Diseases

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 250, 16 August 1928, Page 6

Dairy Stock Diseases

CAUSES AND CURE. Address by Mr. Dayus. The meeting of farmers arranged by the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on Saturday evening to hear Mr. C. V. Dayus, Government veterinarian, speak on diseases in dairy stock was largely attended and keen interest was manifested.

Mr. Dayus dwelt at length on common ailments in cows and discussed methods of treatment and cure. At the conclusion of his address he answered a number of questions relating to individual cows and suggested remedies.

A useful tip was given a Motumaoho farmer who stated that three or four of his cows staggered slightly and had in addition a nervous, wild appearance, parts of the body jerking spasmodically. The lecturer said that if this twitching continued it would produce results that would prove fatal. A sedative should be . given, and either an injection of laudanum or chlorodine was of value. If the cow could fee kept quiet the trouble would pass away.

Replying to Mr. W. Neels, Mr. Dayus said it was advisable to wash out a two-year-old heifer with a weak solution several times if the cleaning did not come away after about four days from calving.

Mr. H. Howie asked what was the best way to replace a ewe’s bearing that had been expelled after lambing. Mr. Dayus said the same method should be used as in treating a cow. The ewe should be thrown and its feet tied. The bearing should then be raised in a sheet above the animal and it would quickly reduce in size as the blood returned . It could then be carefully kneaded back into position. Care should be taken to empty the bladder first. A little dry alum spread over the mass was of value. When the bearing was back in position the vent should be sewn with three fairly loose stitches or the wool tied across to prevent a recurrence. Mr. S. Ferguson asked how a black pock on the end of a cow’s teat could ,be cured. He had experienced the trouble in his herd, and inflammation had spread to the udder. Mr. Dayus suggested zinc ointment as the most useful remedy. If the sore failed to heal resort might have to be made to the milking tube. It I was similar to cowpox, which it was practically impossible to cure, as it had to run its course.

Mr. F. C. Kennedy said he had a preparation of his own which would cure any pock in three days. The recipe was two small bottles of salad oil, Jib of beeswax and a large cake of camphor. The beeswax should be cut up into small pieces and the whole dissolved together and allowed to set. Mr. Kennedy claimed that this preparation, rubbed into the teat, cured the trouble in three days. Mr. Dayus was accorded a warm vote of thanks at the conclusion of his address.