AGALCTIA OR DYSAGLACTIA IN DAIRY CATTLE
Post no-1398 Dt 12/09/2019
Compiled & shared by-DR RAJESH KUMAR SINGH ,JAMSHEDPUR,JHARKHAND, INDIA, 9431309542,rajeshsinghvet@gmail.com
Agalctia or Dysaglactia is a condition in which milk secretion is reduced.
Agalactia is the absence of milk secretion in a female that has just given birth. It represents either a failure of milk production or failure of the release of milk into the teat canal. Normally, milk is not continuously released after it is produced. Instead, it is stored in the mammary gland (breast tissue) until the gland is stimulated to release the milk, which is called milk let-down . Lactation is the production of milk; it usually begins just before the mother gives birth
Etiology : 1. When the animal is in oestrus
2. Nutritional disorders
3. Endometrits and other reproductive disorders
4. Systemic diseases
5. Death of calf and consequent let down problem
6. Milk fever and acetonemia
7. Hormonal imbalance
8. Edema and congestion
9. Toxins and Pesticides
10. Summer stress and drought.
11. Worm burden especially Fasciolasis, Strongylosis etc.
.
A rare cause of agalactia is complete failure of the mammary glands to develop in the female. Why breast tissue does not develop is not well understood. Milk let-down may fail to occur from either hormonal causes or psychological abnormalities. First-time pregnancies in young animals or the presence of anxiety or nervousness may prevent the mother from being relaxed enough to allow the litter to suckle. In highly stressed animals, adrenalin is secreted and interferes with the hormone, oxytocin, which enhances milk let-down. Generalized debilitating conditions, such as infection of the uterus, mammary glands, or other systemic organs, can lead to agalactia. Nutritional deficiency of the dam can cause agalactia but is uncommon in most pets on well-balanced diets.
Clinical Signs
The mammary glands of the mother may or may not be well developed. The offspring attempt to suckle the mother but have no success in getting milk. Both the mother and offspring may become agitated, and the puppies or kittens may cry continuously
Diagnostic Tests
The mammary glands often look normal on close examination, but no milk is visible on evaluation of the teat canal.
TREATMENT AND FOLLOWUP
Treatment Options
It is not possible to treat congenital mammary abnormalities, and affected females should not be bred. In nervous mothers, tranquilizers may be tried, not only to help them relax but because some tranquilizers also increase milk production indirectly. Drugs (such as metoclopramide) that increase the secretion of prolactin, a hormone that helps with milk production, may be given. Metoclopramide must be use cautiously, however, because it may cause hyperactivity or depression. Suckling by the litter helps stimulate milk let-down. In some instances, when milk production by the mother is adequate, the administration of oxytocin stimulates milk let-down. If the cause of agalactia is poor nutrition or a systemic disease, correction of these conditions may reverse the agalactia.
Follow-up Care and Prognosis
In those mothers with no milk production at all, it often is not possible to reverse the agalactia. In these cases, the offspring must be hand reared. Your veterinarian may recommend that these females not be bred again, because the problem may recur with subsequent pregnancies. The nervous dam can often be persuaded to allow the offspring to suckle, and milk production may then occur spontaneously. Some of these dogs also respond to oxytocin therapy. For a few days, the offspring may need supplemental feedings. Mothers that suffer from a milk let-down problem may not have the problem with subsequent litters.
APPLICATION OF HOMEOPATHY MEDICINES IN AGALACTIA
Treatment :
1. Correct the cause
2. Good feeding and management
3. Homeopathic Combination 1. : Alfaalfa 30
Ricinus com Q
Urtica urens 30
Dose : 5 to 10 drops T.I.D for 1 week to increase the flow
of milk
4. Homeopathic Combination 2: Calcarea phos 3x
Calcarea fluor 3x
Nat. mur 3x
Silicea 6x
Dose : 4 pills of each B.I.D. till improvement
5. Homeopathic Combination 3: Calcarea Phos
Ricinus com
Urtica urens
Ferrum phos
Kali phos
Nat. phos
Mag phos aa 30, aa 3ml
Made up to 100ml with vimeral liquid
Indications : to increase the flow of milk
Dose : 2 – 5 ml B.I.D. / 10-15 days
6. Homeopathic Combination 4: Urtica urens Q
Calcarea carb 3
Calcarea fluor 3
Calcarea phos 3
Silicea 3
Ricinus com 3
Pulsatilla 3
Nat.mur 3
Asfoetida 3
Lecithin 3 aa 3 ml
Made up to 120 ml with vimeral liquid
Indications : indicated in Milk fever and agalctia
Dose : 2- 5 ml B.I.D. for 1 to 2 weeks
