Application of Ethnoveterinary Practices and Veterinary Homeopathy/Veterinary Ayurveda in treatment of mastitis in Dairy cattle
Dr. Smruti Smita Mohapatra
Research Scholar,
Dept. of Veterinary Physiology
WBUAFS, Kolkata
Abstract
Bovine mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary gland associated with intramammary infection (IMI) in dairy cattle. Bacteria are the most common etiological agent followed by yeasts or moulds, Prototheca spp. algae and viruses which can cause intramammary infection. Physical trauma or chemical irritation also cause mastitis. Mastitis alters the composition and properties of milk, resulting in reduced cheese yields and reduction of shelf life of manufactured dairy products. Treatment costs, veterinary costs and labour costs rise while milking parlour efficiency can decrease due to increased time spent attending to mastitic animals. Thus the application of ethnoveterinary practices and veterinary homeopathy/veterinary ayurveda in treatment of mastitis in dairy cattle is necessary.
Key words– Bovine mastitis, Ethnoveterinary practices, Veterinary Homeopathy, Veterinary Ayurveda
Introduction
Mastitis is an infectious disease condition resulting in an inflammatory reaction in the mammary gland of the cow. It is the most common disease in dairy cattle characterized by various degrees of severity – ranging from a mild disease with no gross changes in the secretion (milk) but an increase in inflammatory cells (somatic cells) in the milk, to a moderate disease with an increase in inflammatory cells and gross changes in the milk. It is accompanied by signs of inflammation in the mammary gland – swelling, redness, and painfulness. Mastitis progresses to a severe disease with above changes in the milk and systemic signs including fever, depression, and “off-feed” and occasionally even death in the most severe cases. Mastitis reduces milk production and milk quality. Economic losses stem from reduced milk production and decreased milk quality. Dairy farmers discard milk from cows with clinical cases of mastitis and from cows undergoing antibiotic treatment according to withdrawal periods in order to provide time for antibiotics to clear the cow’s body. Apart from economic losses, mastitis is usually painful causing discomfort to cows. Thus, cows diagnosed with clinical mastitis, or those with persistent subclinical mastitis have a greater risk of being culled. Indeed, udder health issues are frequently cited as one of the top three reasons for culling of dairy cows. Low milk production associated with mastitis is the leading cause of culling in dairy herds. Toxic mastitis, an acute form of the disease resulting in severe inflammation and septicemia, can lead to cow death. Clinical signs in the form of flakes or clots to purulent exudate, discoloured, watery, or bloody milk, swelling or hardening of the gland and the presence of pain, heat or reddish discolouration of the skin of inflamed glands are prominent. Systemic signs of illness include increased rectal temperature, anorexia, decreased reticulorumen motility, lethargy and death. Severity of clinical mastitis cases can range from mild to severe. The clinical rating depends of the range and severity of the symptoms observed. Although subclinical mastitis is more difficult to identify, monitoring of somatic cell count (SCC) or bacteriological culturing of milk can detect the presence of mastitis.
Types of mastitis in dairy cattle
- Acute form. In this form, which frequently accompanies parturition, and also, in
less severe form, at drying off, the onset is usually sudden, and the condition can be
recognised by swelling of the gland and changes in the milk. The swelling takes several
forms, ranging from slight edema to hot painful enlargement. Although most often seen
as a sequel to calving, this acute form is seen at any time during lactation.
B. Chronic form. In chronic mastitis, feverish manifestations are usually absent,
although exacerbations can occur. The gland shows fibrous induration in the region of the
milk cistern and the milk itself shows small clots.
C. Mastitis caused by Streptococci. In dairy herds where good hygiene and
management are poorly practised, Streptococci shows a morbidity rate of 25%. It is less
common in well-managed herds, but can still cause a high loss of production, though rarely
resulting in the death of the animal. There is a primary fever which persists for 24
hours, but this systemic reaction is invariably mild, and is associated mainly with
Streptococcus agalacticae. Streptococcus dysgalacticae and Streptococcus uberis produce a
more acute syndrome with severe swelling of quarters and abnormality of milk. Systemic
reaction is usually moderate, although an occasional per-acute infection may yield a very
highfever.
D. Mastitis caused by Staphylococci. There is frequently a per-acute form appearing a
few days after parturition, and this can be highly fatal, the quarter becoming swollen and
purple, and systemic involvement rapid. The chronic form of this type is characterised by a
slowly developing induration of udder tissue with watery secretion, leading eventually to
atrophy of the quarter. A form in between the per-acute and the chronic yields secretion
of a purulent nature containing many thick clots.
E. Mastitis caused by E. coli. Per-acute involvement is fairly common and can lead to
loss of function of affected quarters and in many cases to death. The secretion is thin and
yellow, and contains small bran-like flakes. Temperature may be very high indicating a
severe systemic involvement.
F. Summer Mastitis caused by Corynebacterium pyogenes. Summer mastitis commences acutely with severe systemic reaction. The quartequarters involved become indurated, yielding a thick cheese-like secretion. Less severe involvement produces a purulent discharge. The udder later shows abscesses which burst through the outer skin,
yielding a creamy pus with occasional sloughing of tissues. The Corynebacteria are
well-known for the invasive toxins causing
systemic symptoms.
Strategies to prevent bovine mastitis - Hygiene Since the milking equipment can serve as a fomite (inanimate object which can transfer infection), proper hygiene is essential.
- Disinfection and dry cow therapy
The use of post-milking disinfectant teat dip and antibiotic dry cow therapy help to reduce the prevalence of contagious mastitis. Environmental pathogens are less likely to be spread during milking. Usage of germicidal pre-milking teat dip prior to milking can further reduce this risk.
- Management
Various management practices have helped with prevention of bovine mastitis caused by contagious pathogens. Well-managed herds have been successful in limiting contagious mastitis. Control of contagious mastitis is possible and repeatable across herds when implementing these practices. Dip the teats in a germicide after every milking to decrease incidences of the disease. Treat each quarter separately with antibiotics to avoid disease prevalence. Milk infected cows last and use separate milk handling equipment for their products to avoid cross contamination. Use individual disposable towels for cleaning the udders. If you have to use a cloth towel, each cow should have a separate towel. Clean the towel thoroughly with hot water after milking and air dry. The milkers should be clean and preferably wear latex gloves while milking. Isolate new additions into the herd and culture their milk to find out if they have the pathogens that cause mastitis. Cull chronically ill animals. Give your heifers dry-cow antibiotic treatment if you notice that they have Staphyloccocus aureus infection. Clip the udders to reduce dirt dangling around the teats. Pre-dip the teats in a germicide before milking and ensure you only milk clean dry teats.
Keep the cows standing after milking to ensure that their teat canals close to avoid entry by bacteria. You can achieve this by giving the cow some feed. Use single-dose infusions to avoid cross contamination when performing udder cleaning and sterilization. Maintain high levels of hygiene by keeping the milking parlour very clean, using clean milking equipment, and using sterile teat dippers. Clean the pipes regularly to avoid buildup of bacteria. In case of Pseudomonas spp. Invasion, you may be forced to replace the heating and piping systems.
- Treatment by Ayurveda
The ayurvedic treatment of bovine mastitis includes formulation such as aloe vera, Curcuma longa and calcium hydroxide. The formulation possesses Krimighna (antimicrobial), Vranashodaka (wound cleanser), Vranaropaka (wound healing), Shothahara (anti-inflammatory) and Srotoshodaka (channel cleanser) properties. Thus bovine mastitis can be efficiently managed with this formulation. The antimicrobial activity of aloe vera is attributed to the anthraquinones (aloin and emodin), flavonoids, tannins (active against MRSA), saponins, p-coumaric acid, ascorbic acid, pyrocatechol and cinnamic acid. Alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, terpenoids, phytosterols, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, fatty acids such as palmitoleic acid and α-turmerone in fixed oils of Curcuma longa possess antimicrobial activity against wide range of bacteria. The anti-inflammatory activity of aloe vera is reported to be due to brady kinase which decreases vascular permeability, neutrophil migration, and leukocyte adhesion and reduces edema formation. It is also found to decrease the production of TNFα, inhibit PGF2α and TB4. Curcumin, the active principle of Curcuma longa is reported to inhibit NF-κB which in turn decreases TNF-α, superoxides, COX-2, iNOS and NO. It inhibits LOX pathway and decreases the formation of leukotriene. Calcium hydroxide is known to possess anti-inflammatory action and reduces edema formation. Thus all the three ingredients in the formulation act at various steps in the inflammatory pathway and synergistically produce anti-inflammatory effects. Polysaccharides present in aloe vera are rich in mannose and act as biological response modifier by targeting antigen presenting cell and cytokine cascade. Acemannan increases TNFα, IL-1B, IFN γ, IL-2 and IL-6; aleoride increases NFκB activation and stimulates macrophages which in turn increases nitric oxide production and other cytokines responsible for immunomodulation. Curcumin also possesses immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity. The ingredients are as follows.
- Gheekumari (Aloe vera) – 2 or 3 petals
- Haldi (Turmeric) powder – 50 gm
- Chunna (Lime stone) – 10 gm
All the above ingredients are ground well and made in to a paste to be applied over the udder thrice a day for 3-7 days depending upon the disease incidence. Before applying, the udder and teats should be washed with boiled water for 3 times for 5 days. Administration of orally 50 gm of sodium bicarbonate in the juice of lemon dissolved in 200 ml of water is also effective.
- Homeopathic Treatment
- a) Herd treatment In considering prevention we must take account of the various bacteriological causes of the
condition, and, if possible, employ the appropriate nosode. By first determining which type
of mastitis is present in the herd, we can easily have a nosode or oral vaccine prepared
against the organism concerned. For the purpose of
herd medication we must employ the nosode in the 30th potency and have it prepared in
liquid form. A 5ml vial may be added per month to the main water tank supplying the
drinking water. A variation of this approach is to use certain remedies well proven in their
relation to the mammary glands, g. Phytolacca, and Sulphur, Silicea, and Carbo
Vegetabilis used in conjunction. Sub-clinical cases benefit from this
approach. In considering prevention, we must not forget the animals in the herd which are
non-lactating during the summer months and consequently are at risk to Corynebacterium pyogenes infection – all such animals should be given a monthly dose of nosode, starting in March – heifers in calf for the first time are just as likely to succumb as older animals, and should therefore be included in the prevention programme.
(b) Treatment of individual cases All outbreaks of mastitis call for the employment
of various remedies according to the different symptoms, and the animal’s reaction to the
disease. Among the commoner remedies frequently used are the following:
Belladonna 1m. Indicated usually in the acute form post-partum. The udder shows
acute swelling and redness, and pain is obvious on palpation. The animal generally may
feel hot with full, bounding pulse. Dose: one every hour for four doses.
Aconite 6x. This should be employed as a routine in all acute cases, especially those
which develop suddenly, possibly after exposure to cold, dry winds. It will allay tension
and restlessness. Dose: one every half-hour for six doses.
Apis Mellifica 6c. This is a useful remedy for freshly calved heifers showing
oedema of udder and surrounding tissues. The mammary vein is usually engorged in these
cases. Dose: one every three hours for four doses.
Bryonia Alba 30c. Indicated where the udder swelling is hard and indurated. In
acute cases pain will be relieved by pressure on the udder and such cases are frequently
presented with the animal lying down as this appears to give relief. Chronic forms showing
fibrosis should benefit from this remedy. Dose: in the acute form, one dose four-hourly for
four doses. In the chronic form, one dose twice weekly for one month.
Arnica Montana 30c. When mastitis has developed as a result of injury to the udder
tissue. Blood may be present in the secretion. Dose: one three times daily for three days.
Bellis Perennis 6c. Somewhat similar in its requirements to Arnica, but Bellis is
probably better if the injuries are more deep than superficial, e.g. damage from teat cups
which has gone on for a few days. Dose: one three times daily for four days.
Phytolacca 30c. A useful remedy both for acute and chronic cases. Acute forms
may show curdled milk and clots, while in the latter, small clots may appear in
mid-lactation. This is probably the most useful remedy for the average chronic case. Dose:
for acute cases one three times daily for three days, followed by one daily for four days.
Mastitis which appears in the form of small clots in mid-lactation will probably yield to a
dose every three hours for four doses.
Urtica Urens 6x. For acute forms showing oedema which may be in the form of
plaques frequently extending to the perineal area. Dose: one every hour for four doses.
S.S.C. 30c. This is a combination of Sulphur, Silicea and Carbo Veg. and has given
excellent results in both acute and sub-acute cases. Clots are usually large and have a
yellowish tinge, especially in the fore-milk. Dose: one three times daily for three days.
Hepar Sulphuris 6x. This low potency of Hepar will help promote suppuration and
clearing of the udder contents in cases of C. Pyogenes or summer mastitis infection. Dose:
one every three hours for four doses. Once the udder has been cleared of purulent material,
a dose or two of a higher potency should be given to complete the cure.
Silicea 200c. Also useful in chronic cases of Corynebacterium pyogenes infection where purulent foci and sinuses have developed as a result of multiple abscesses. Dose: one twice weekly for four weeks.
In acute cases remedies such as Belladonna, Bryonia and Urtica Urens may be
combined as a polyvalent remedy (like S.S.C.). This will avoid the necessity for separate
dosing with each remedy. The various nosodes can also be used therapeutically along with
indicated remedies, a dose a day for three consecutive days being sufficient.
Ipecac 30c is a useful remedy for controlling intra-mammary bleeding
which results in ‘pink milk’, or even more frank bleeding. Dose: one three times daily for
three days.
(c) Sub clinical mastitis: Milk can be tested with a pH paper like bromothymol blue in sub clinical mastitis the paper turns to green and in clinical mastitis turns blue. Small quantity of milk is directly boiled in a glass and decanted. In sub clinical mastitis the sediments gets attached to the sides of glass. These two methods are 40% reliable. Use electronic device to know electrical conductivity which is reliable above 95%. All these 3 methods are not useful in colostral period, when the animal has crossed 5th month pregnancy and in a non pregnant animal which has milked for 10 or more months, where milk will be having more sodium and chloride ions in the milk. In such sub clinical case Pulsatilla 30/200, 20 pills TID for 2 or 3 days is used (if used for more days the animal can lose its appetite),
Animal can be given two teaspoonfuls (10-12g) of sodium citrate orally once a day, which reduces alkalinity of milk.
Sulphur30, Carboveg30, Silicia30, Phytolacca30, Pulsatilla30 each 15 pills TID/QID can be used. In acute mastitis i/mammary and i/muscular treatment is used. Pulsatilla30/200, 20-30 pills TID can be used for 3-4 days.
Acute mastitis: Echinacea.Q 8drops and Apis Mel CM 6drops in one tea spoonful of water TID/QID. Sulphur30, Carboveg30, Silicia30, Phytolacca30 and Pulsatilla30 each 15 pills TID/ QID.
Mastitis in Cattle: Painful swollen udder: Belladonna hourly, Udder Hard but milk not spoiled. Bryonia 200 qid.
Hard udder with pus in milk. Phosphorus 200.
Udder oedema Natrum Sulph 200 depending on the severity the drug/s may be used 5 to 6 times in a day.
(d) Treatment for Chronic Mastitis:
Use subcutaneously 1/2 ml of injectable Sulphur C 2ml of Calcaria Flour-200C in 100 ml of luke warm water is administered orally thrice a day to each animal. Silicea -200C is also administered in same dose and route keeping a time gap of half an hour between two administrations. The treatment is carried out for 20 days.
Treatment: The mode of treatment can be grouped into two heads – mastitis with anorexia and mastitis without anorexia.
A) Mastitis with Anorexia
1. Belladonna 30 or 200: When the udder is hot, painful and edematous.
Dose: Belladonna 30: one dose every two hours 4 to 5 times till relief
Belladonna 200: B.I.D for 2 days.
2. Bryonia 30 or 200: When udder is hard, painful and hot, animal is disinclined
to move.
Dose: One dose every 3 hrs till relief
3. Urticaria urens 30: When the udder is hard, painful, edematous with allergic
reactions and let down problems, dysagalactia,
Dose: One dose every 1 hour till relief
4. Homeopathic Combination: Belladonna
Bryonia
Urtica aa 30
Dose: 1 dose once in 2 hrs till temperature comes to normal
5. Phytolocca 200: When the udder is hot, with flakes and clots in milk and
refuse to allow the calf for suckling or mulking
Dose: 1 dose 2 hourly 4-5 doses for 2-3 days
6. Conium 200: When the udder is very hard, with yellowish and cheesy milk
and painful udder.
Dose: B.I.D. for 2 – 7 days
7. Merc sol 200: When the udder is hard and when the milk is watery or
serosanginous in appearance (Foot and Mouth affections)
Dose: B.I.D. for 2 days
8. Silicea 6x: Udder indurated, milk cheesy in consistence, with yellow clots
Dose: T.I.D for 1 week to 10 days
9. Biochemical Preparation 1: Kali mur 6x when clots in milk
Calc Flur 6x
Dose: B.I.D. for 1 week to 10 days
10. Biochemical Preparation 2: Silicea 6x When the udder is hard
Calc Sulph 6x and clots in milk
Dose : Q.I.D for 1 week
11. Homeopathic Combination 1: For intra mammary use.
Calundula Q
Belladonna 30
Dulcamara Q
Echinaea 30 aa 1 ml
Made upto 20 ml with distilled water
Indications: Inflammation of the udder with loss of appetite, fever
congestion and trauma.
Dose: 10 ml Morning and 10ml night, intra mammary injection
for 2 to 3 days. Massage the udder to disperse the medicine uniformly
12. Homeopathic Combination 2: For External use only
Phytolocca decandra 30
Calendula officinalis Q
Apis mel 30
Belladonna 30 aa 1 ml
Made up to 20 ml with glycerine.
Indications: Indicated in fissures, wounds, ulcers, congestions,
hematomas, inflammations, contusions etc.
Dose : Apply on the affected teats and udder, B.I.D. for 2 – 4 days
13. Homeopathic Combination 3: For internal use
Phytolocca 200
Calc. Fluor 200
Silicea 30
Belladonna 30
Arnica 30
Conium 30
Ipeca 30 aa 0.5 ml.
Made up to 30 ml vimeral.
Indications : In acute, subacute and chronic mastitis .
Dose : 2 –5 ml, B.I.D. orally for One week.
- B) Mastitis Without Anoexia
1. Kali Mur 30: Hardness and White or gray or cream colour clots.
Dose : 4 time a day for 2 to 5 days
Ferrum Phos 6x: Blood in milk with or without bad smell
Dose : Q.I.D for 2 to 5 days
3. Silicea 1M + Calc. Sulph 200: When udder is hard and with clots
Dose : Q.I.D for 2 –7 days. - Intrammamary infusions
The teat must be cleaned and disinfect with ethanol, after which it is allowed to dry for a few seconds. Partially insert the cannula containing the infusion onto the teats to reduce contact, which can introduce fungi that will cause a different form mastitis. Once the teat comes into contact with the antibiotic infusion, streak the teats by pinching and palpate a little bit to make sure that the antibiotic treatment enters the mammary gland.
- Oxytocin treatment
Effective treatment of mastitic cows depends on complete removal of milk from the teat cisterns. It can be achieved by increasing the intervals of milking. Bacteria thrives in milk because it gets nourishment from the milk. When the teat canal is emptied, the bacteria does not find nourishment and the antibacterial drugs will be more effective. If the cow is a high producer, one may need to streak it in between the milking times. The cows can be injected with oxytocin to increase milk let down so that complete milking can be achieved. In some instances, the bacteria may fail to go away despite regular streaking and application of the antibacterial drugs. This will lead to chronic infections, which is associated with Staphyloccocus aureus, bacteria that naturally exist on the skin. In such cases, the cow will remain a constant source of contamination for the rest of the herd. You will have no option but to cull such a cow if you must protect the herd.
- Vaccines
Vaccines have been designed to combat mastitis, but many are of limited protection against coliform infections. Studies have shown that the J5 core antigen vaccine is efficacious in reducing the incidence of clinical mastitis caused by E. coli, especially during early lactation, but did not reduce the prevalence of infection. Vaccines can be valuable in reducing the duration and severity bovine mastitis.
- Mycotoxin risk management
Feed should be monitored for the presence of mycotoxins and an effective mycotoxin counteracting product or toxin binder should be incorporated into the feed. Mycofix® contains an aflatoxin binder for aflatoxin deactivation.
Conclusion
First aid of mastitis involves applying ice cubes on the udder surface. The infected milk from infested teat should be drained out thrice a day and safely disposed. A composition of 5% phenol can be included to the infected milk to ensure hygienic disposal. While milking the herd, strict attention must be paid to first milking healthy, non-infected cows and subsequently those infected. The infected and non-responsive quarter should be dried up, permanently. Calves should be prevented from suckling on the infected teat. The economic losses on the dairy industry involving BM causative agents, the rapid emergence and exhibition of multi-drug resistance as well as their great tendency to cause persistent, chronic and recurrent infections, make this disease a continuous challenge and a subject of investigation by several research groups justifying the continued attention in this area. Independently from the origin of the infection, biofilms have been shown to be important in pathogenicity and therefore may play a role in the biology of recurrent infections, antimicrobial agents/host immune defence system resistance, being consequently more difficult to control/eradicate the disease. The role of ethnoveterinary practices and veterinary homeopathy/veterinary ayurveda in mastitis infections is crucial to determine and study the best control strategies to be used in veterinary practice in order to reduce losses in the dairy industry and to ensure milk safety and quality.
References
- https://www.biomin.net/species/ruminants/mastitis/
- https://www.zoetisus.com/conditions/dairy/mastitis.aspx
