MILK FEVER

Otago Witness, Issue 3278, 10 January 1917, Page 11

MILK FEVER

(PARTURIENT APOPLEXY).

A. R. Young, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Supervisor. The- disease of milk-fever afflocting dairycows continues to bo the subject of many inquiries forwarded to the department. Although most dairy farmers arc now able to recognise a case when it occurs (especially if they have seen one previously) and know the most reliable treatment to adopt, there appear to be a considerable number who are at times perplexed. The matter is given increased importance by the greatly-enhanced value of cows; hence the desire for further information, which in itself is a sign of progress. Tt cannot bo too firmly impressed upon stockowners that a very considerable amount of the annual loss of stock in this country is due to carelessness in management. This could be avoided, and with a wider knowledge of the needs of animals better results could bo obtained. Milk-fever is brought about by ilie act of calving and abnormal conditions following. The former being a healthy action requires no comment; it is in the abnormal conditions following calving that is found the field for investigation. Taking as a basis the opinion of British and Continental authorities of the present day—namely, that milk-fever is brought about by a poisonous secretion which takes place in the udder, and which is at once absorbed into the blood—our attention is limited for the present to that organ. The first idea to strike the observer would naturally be why all cows are. not subject to tin's disease, seeing that all udders are the same in structure and their functions alike. But we know that all cows do not suffer from milkfever; therefore there must bo some influence brought to bear upon the udder rendering it susceptible to take on the unhealthy action producing the toxin. This gives a clear sta ting-point. The trouble is not the fault of the udder, but of some influence acting upon it during the early stages of lactation. It is known that the first milk possesses laxative and somewhat irritant properties necessary to expel from the calf the fieces which have accumulated in its intestines while unborn, arid it is at this trnnsitionary stago' of the milk that the trouble begins. The field, therefore, narrows itself down to influences acting upon the udder at or shortly after calving. Some of these influences are well known; others still are rather obscure. Among the recognised predisposing causes the age of the animal plays an important part, the disease rarely affecting ■ animals which have not reached maturity. Then follows the influence of strains, some milking strains being more susceptible than others; the improved cow — the heavy milker, the good doer—is the most likely to suffer, and high-conditioned animals are all predisposed to milk-fever. Looking at these factors combined, it is at once apparent that the problem has been further reduced, as each represents one general condition —that of excess. Wo can go further and include secondary influences, such as sudden changes in the weather. electrical disturbances, flushes of feed, and the answer is the same. This beinq- the ease, the conditions over which are held the controlling power in prevention may bo considered. PREVENTION. The ago of the animal may be dismissed, except as the interesting stage at which the cow has reached maturity, thereby placing her in a more favourable state to become the victim of excess. ''Condition" is a much-abused term when indiscriminately applied to animals. <: ln good condition" should mean in good condition for the purposes for which the animal is required. For example, a bullock ready for profitable slaughter may bo spoken of as in good condition, but is is absurd to apply tlio same

term to a horse in the show-ring which, all hough bred for the purposes of hard work, is often seen so fat as to be hardly able to walk. So it often is with a cow just coming on to calve —good to look upon, fat, belly gorged, and blood in a plethoric state. The animal would bo referred to by the inexperienced as in grand condition, 'without considering that within a short time she will bo called upon to undergo a trying ordeal requiring the most healthy co-opera-tion of all her organs, evi ry one of which must be a worker free from superfluous fat, yet not so far reduced as to interfere with Iho nutrition required for healthy work. Tho cow of to-day (in New Zealand at least) lives under more artificial conditions than did her breed 10 years back. Man is still adopting every conceivable- method to increase her supply of milk and butter-fat, so much so that there is a danger of the balance set by nature being upset. In to guard against this tho importance of a good constitution must always bo kept in view. The udder is but the till, constitution is tho business concern which fills it. SYMPTOMS.

These are characteristic of tho disease: Tho animal appears to be intoxicated, which indeed she is With toxin from the udder, and maybe from the womb. The legs are spread widely apart, the iiead lowered, eyes bloodshot with their pupils dilated, bloodvessels of head and neck gorged, and ears and horns hot. If made- to move, the animal docs so with difficulty, and without any apparent desire to move in any one direction. In tho early stages the temperature and pulse are increased, and in many ca.ses tho animal is somewhat "blown." Usually developments arc rapid, and she falls down; when down, for a short time the head is lashed about, with the legs twitching, but gradually an unconscious condition sets in, and if no relief is forthcoming death supervenes. TREATMENT. To the dairyman tins is the most important matter, because the treatment to D 6 adopted does no Harm, even although tho trouble may not bo milk-fever. . It is not necessary to go into tho details of the older methods ot treatment, the only reliable euro being air-injection of tiio udder. Tins iu itself is fortunately very simple, although unfortunate results may follow careless application. The action of air treatment upon the disease can bo studied m veterinary textbooks. The only action the dairyman is directly concerned with is that ot the animal regaining her feet. A complete outfit for the air-injection cure should bo in tho hands of every dairyman, and can be secured from almost any chemist at prices ranging from 10s 6d to £3 3s. It is short-sighted policy to get an outfit only when required. Tho disease is sudden in" its development, and tho remedy must bo applied at once; tho delay of an hour or two often means the difference between a live cow and a dead one. In buying a milk-fever syringe always stipulate that all its parts are capable of being boiled without destruction, it being absolutely necessary to boil the instrument after using, and, if disused for some time, before using. When cotton-wool is used to pass tho air through it should bo destroyed _ when tho injection is finished, as there is often a drawback of some milk from the udder, which gets caught in the wool and rapidly decomposes. As regards the method of applying tho treatment there is only ono matter on which authorities differ. American writers advise that no milk can bo drawn from tho udder before injection, claiming tho best results from this method; whereas others hold that the animal be milked first. Presuming that there is a poisonous secretion in the udder, the latter method would appeal more to us; but facts cannot honestly bo overcome and arc always worth considering. It would, in fact, appear doubtful which is the better method, but as both are good the matter is not essential to success. Before applying the air treatment the udder and teats should bo carefully washed and dried; then take the lower end of tho teat-tube between the forefinger and thumb, feel for the oncning in the teat, and slowly push the tube up, moving the finger and thumb backwards and forwards, rolling it, so to speak, without turning it right round. The tube should never be pushed up direct, as it is thereby likely to injure the sensitive lining membrane of the teat. Tho quarter is next filled with air until it is distended to its utmost capacity, and this is aided by massage. After withdrawing the tube do not tie tho end of the teat: this is a dangerous procedure, and often damages the teat? and causes the animal great pain when tho tie is removed. a.s the circulation of the blood to that part has been interfered with. Moreover, tying is not necessary except for very free milkers, in which case a broad band' should be used. The other quarters are now treated in the same way. and the wholo process (should be repeated in two hours' time if the animal has not responded to tho first treatment. Internal administration of drugs after the cow is down is to be condemned, the risk of choking being too great. _ Tho only safe way is by hypodermic injection, and by this means Eserinc and Pilocarpine have been found beneficial. If the animal is severely flatulent the gases should be removed, either by using tho probang, or trocar and canula, as any regurgitation when a comatose state ex ; ftts is almost sure to cause fatal results through food gaining access to tho windpipe. As a "rule tho bladder is paralysed, and the urine either trickles freely away or becomes retained to a dangerous degree. In the latter ca.se it must be removed _ by mechanical means. This operation is a s.mplc one after having been observed, but where experience is lacking the services of a veterinarian had better be called in. After the air-injection is finished tho animal should be made as comfortable as possible, placing her upon her brisket, with head uphill, :m\ packing her up in this position with straw or other suitable material, head and neck about from tho ground. A cow with milk-fever should always be treated as one would a person taken unconscious from water—i.e., continue treating until you are sure that she is dead. After 'recovery the animal should have careful nursing for a few days; give laxative food, and keep her quiet and comfortable. . . The principal points to be kept in mind when a case occurs are prompt and energetic action and absolute cleanliness, the latter because tho risk of inoculating the teat with another disease, such as contagious mammitis, is always present. Finally, always have on hand a proper outfit ready for uso.—(Journal of Agriculture.)