The udder is the mammary gland of female farm animals. In all ruminants, including cows, it is located between the thighs, in the inguinal region. In female cattle, it is an organ formed as a result of the fusion of most often two pairs of glands.
The structure of the udder
During puberty of a cow, numerous ducts begin to develop in its mammary gland. The rest of the udder of an animal of this age is made up of connective and adipose tissue. In the latter, there is a certain number of small pores (alveoli).
During the pregnancy of a cow, small ducts in the mammary gland are first connected to the middle, and then to large passages. Later (already in the second half of pregnancy), the number of pores in the udder sharply increases. At the same time, glandular tissue, consisting of alveoli, is almost completely replaced by adipose tissue.
Outwardly, the process described above is manifested primarily by an increase in the udder of a cow. Of course, the animal does not experience any painful sensations. This is primarily due to the fact that the skin covering the mammary gland of cattle females is very elastic and can stretch very much.
How does the process of milk formation
In the alveoli of the cow during pregnancy, a special secret begins to accumulate. Its nature at different stages of gestation changes. At first it is a completely colorless liquid. Around the fourth month, the secret becomes yellowish. Later, its color changes to honey, and the liquid consistency to viscous. Just before the birth, the colostrum begins to stand out from the udder of the cow. It is a very nutritious viscous liquid containing a huge amount of protein, potassium, sodium, vitamins, etc.
The composition of colostrum begins to change after about 1.5-3 days. At the same time, the percentage of protein included in it, as well as vitamins and trace elements, is significantly reduced. After another 6-9 days, it turns into milk.
Cows
To activate the development of the mammary gland, the pregnant animal should be periodically massaged (from about the 6th month of pregnancy). First of all, the cow is taught to stroke the udder while cleaning the body. From the eighth month of gestation, the side surfaces of the mammary gland are massaged. Next, they teach the cow to touch the nipples.
In order to subsequently milk the animal well, immediately after calving he is given a bucket of warm drink (1 kg of bran and 50 grams of salt per bucket of water). At the same time, they feed the cow with quality hay ad libitum. A day after birth, the amount of concentrates and beets in the animal's diet is increased.
Subject to all these recommendations, the subsequent owners will not have to treat the udder of the cow. The animal will tolerate labor and will give a lot of milk.
What problems can occur with the mammary gland?
In violation of the technology of keeping, the udder of a cow after calving can become quite serious. In most cases, such problems for cattle owners arise due to improper feeding of animals or in case of non-compliance with sanitary standards in sheds. The most common diseases of the udder of cows are:
- postpartum paresis;
- mastitis;
- edema.
Immediately after the detection of any breast disease in the animal, treatment should be initiated. The udder of cows for an accurate diagnosis must first be examined by a veterinarian.
Postpartum paresis
This disease of the udder most often occurs in adult cows (5-9 years old), and well-fed and highly productive. Paresis always appears suddenly, approximately 12-72 hours after calving. The reason for it is considered nervous stress experienced by animals during childbirth. The main symptoms are general cow weakness, dilated pupils, clouding of the cornea, and disruption of the intestines.
Previously, postpartum paresis was considered an incurable disease. Recently, however, a method has been found to help quickly raise the animal to its feet. Treatment by this method involves blowing air into the udder of a cow (through the nipples) using a bicycle pump or a special Everas device. Preliminarily, all milk is dispensed from the mammary gland. Blowing is carried out until the folds are straightened on the udder.
With proper treatment, signs of recovery in the cow can appear within half an hour. If there are no positive results after 6-8 hours after injection, it should be repeated. In this case, it is advisable for the animal to additionally deliver an enema. Sometimes, instead of air, with postpartum paresis, milk from a healthy cow is pumped into the udder of a sick female cattle.
Mastitis and its treatment
This disease develops in cows most often due to inept milking. Sometimes the cause of mastitis is poor udder care (cold wet floor in the barn, dirt). This disease is localized most often in one or two quarters of the mammary gland of the animal. You can determine it by the following symptoms:
- inflammation of the udder and the presence of seals on it;
- swelling;
- udder color change;
- increase in body temperature of the animal;
- secretion of viscous or curdled milk from the infected quarter with an admixture of blood and pus.
Mastitis should be treated immediately after the discovery of its first signs. Veterinarians usually prescribe antibiotics and special medicines to cows to combat this particular disease. Simultaneously with the injections, the udder of the cow should be periodically massaged and milk removed from it.
There are alternative methods of treating mastitis in cows. Some housewives attach a dressing with grated carrots and chopped cabbage leaf to the udder of a sick animal. It is believed that it helps well from mastitis and a compress with vodka. Also a good folk remedy for treatment is an ointment made of starch and vegetable oil.
Udder swelling
This disease can occur both before calving, and after it. Edema is manifested by an increase in the size of the udder and the compaction of its skin. Sometimes the tumor extends even to the cow’s stomach. Most often, this disease occurs in first-calf heifers. Its main causes are usually dirty litter and too much juicy feed in the diet. If the cow has a swollen udder, treatment should begin immediately. In this disease, the mammary gland is supposed to be massaged periodically, as well as lubricated with petroleum jelly.