MVSc

A study was conducted in the Department of Clinical Medicine, College
of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy for a period of three semesters,
during the year 1999 to 2000, to elucidate the etio-pathogenesis of the udder
oedema in crossbred cows. The study included haemogram, metabolic profile test,
urinalysis, udder measurements and comparison of the efficacy of treatments with
Tribulus terreslris Linn and frusemide in udder oedema cases.
Twenty crossbred cows with persistent udder oedema were selected.
Four cows developed mastitis during the observation period. The remaining
sixteen animals were randomly divided into two groups viz. Giroup I with seven
animals which were treated with frusemide and Group 11 with nine animals which
were treated with Tribulus terrestris Linn. Six apparently healthy cows maintained
under identical conditions served as the control group.
Udder oedema occurred mostly in first two calvings around pen-
parturient period. The affected animals were clinically normal except for the
involvement of udder. Oedema extended mostly upto umbilicus, pale to pinkish in
colour, cold to touch, pitting on pressure and was painful. Oedema extending to the
base of the teats and shortening of teats were also observed.
In the present study, haemagalactia, mastitis and maggot wound on the
udder were observed as complications of udder oedema.
The sole haematological change observed in udder oedema cases was an
increase in mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The serum biochemical estimation
showed a decrease in the serum inorganic phosphorus value of cows with udder
oedema when compared to control cows. The post-treatment serum biochemical
values showed a decrease in serum potassium in frusemide treatment and an
increase in serum glucose in Tribulus terrestris Linn treatment.





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Urine samples from the affected cows did not show any pathological
changes during the observation period.
The mean subjective udder oedema score was 3.40 ± 0.31. The udder
measurements in cows with udder oedema like circumference of udder showed
significant increase and the distance between teat tip and the ground showed
significant decrease when compared to the control cows. The udder measurements
of both groups became normal after the treatments.
Cows which were treated with Tribulus terrestris Linn took less number
of days for complete recovery. This treatment was cheaper and effective without
any side effects when compared to frusemide treatment. Frusemide treatment led to
mild hypokalaemia without any clinical manifestations.