Dr.iCow’s Diary
Date: 28.01.2020
Hi Dr. iCow
Upele katikati ya kiwele ya ng’ombe huletwa na nini? (What causes rashes on the cow udder?)
From: Josephat Manyara, County: Meru, Kenya.
Discussion:
After stopping using an iodophore containing germicide one of the cows started to develop pimples like lesions on the teats and the same spread to another cow. This condition could be caused by viral and bacterial infections. Serious infection may take long to heal and in absence of teats and udder disinfection the condition does recur in a short while.
Dear Josephat,
The teats and udder lesions some looking like pimples as you have described in the two cows are caused by infectious agents like viruses and bacteria. This may be a case of pseudo-cowpox infection caused by a virus and presents with a localized, red raised swollen painful lesions, and in repeat infections early lesions are seen as small raised papules which develop in a few days and affected cows may resist milking. Bacterial infections may invade and colonize existing lesions caused by viral infections resulting in some pus.
Other conditions that affect teats and udder skin are bovine ulcerative mammilitis, bovine papillomatosis, dermatitis and udder sore. For treatment use iodophore-containing teat dip like CKL-Mastrite, allow the teats to dry and then apply CKL-Healing Oil to heal the wounds and repel flies.
Affected cows should be segregated and milked last to prevent spread of the disease to healthy cows, to reduce incidences of teats sores, cracks and rough skin by using medicated milking salve, separate milking utensils and provide clean gloves for milking personnel as this could help in preventing the spread of infection to other cows.
Cleaning of the zero-grazing unit, milking parlour and equipment should be done using disinfectant, and proper hygiene and dairy management should always be practiced.
A cow’s udder should be healthy at all times as it produces good quality milk for human and calf consumption. Teat conditions can be mild or severe, and may cause milk shortages to the house hold and the calf.
Some of the lesions may be caused by cuts, bruising, chemicals, inverted teat openings, blocked teats, photosensitivity and sun burns, diseases like pseudo-cowpox, dermatitis, warts and lumpy skin disease. Serious infection may take long to heal.
The teats and the udder should be cleaned properly and disinfectant applied. Lanolin-based and iodine ointments are used to treat teat lesions. To promote good udder health sanitation and hygienic measures must be maintained during milking & in milking shed.