COW POX.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 268, 24 December 1928, Page 8

COW POX.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.

A troublesome and somewhat irrit. ingr affection pf the teats and udder of the cow is described under the name of cow pox. Prom time to time one or more <jows in a herd suffer from this complaint. The infection is easily carried from one cow 1 to another by the hands of the milker or by the cups of the milking- machine unless special care is taken to detect the first appearance of symptoms and take the necessary precautions. In the early stages there is noticed a tenderness 0(f the teats when milking is being carried , out. The teats are redder in colour and hotter td the feel than' usual, and in a few days one or more blisters form, and with the Constant handling lat milking time the sores thus formed are difficult to heal. The blisters rupture and are later covered with a thick cfusf oar scab which comes away during milking. Similar blisters may appear on the udder itself. When the first member of the herd shows any of the above symptoms precautions shjouid be taken. The affected animals should not bejjjigrjjS" until the rest of th«wte®!f''has been dealt with. An a-fTected animal should be milked as carefully as possible by hM'.',‘using some emollient as vaseline. After milking, an application of boracic ointment should be liberally applied. The hands should be carefully washed in some antiseptic solution

and every care taken to prevent the infection being spread by the hands to the other cows. A good deal of patience is required in milking an affected cow and also in treating the animal to effect a cure. An attempt should be ndade to treat the cases early, as there is danger of mammitis being set up. Care and attention given to the first member of a herd showing symptoms may prevent the spread of the trouble to any of the otheT cows in the herd.