DAIRY FARMING

PRACTICES

AUDIO-VI0SUAL
PROJECT

TOPIC - DISEASES AND

ITS TREATMENTS
 Dairy farming is an essential component of the agricultural industry, providing milk and
dairy products to meet the nutritional needs of people worldwide. However, like any
livestock production system, dairy farming is susceptible to various diseases that can
significantly impact animal health, welfare, and farm profitability. These diseases can arise
from infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, as well as non-
infectious factors like nutritional deficiencies, environmental stressors, and genetic
predispositions.
 mastitis
Mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland, is one of the
most prevalent and economically significant diseases affecting
dairy cows. It is commonly caused by bacterial infections and can
lead to decreased milk quality and quantity, increased somatic cell
counts, and potential damage to the udder tissue.
 Mastitis:

Cause: Mastitis is primarily caused by bacterial infections, commonly

by organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae,
Escherichia coli, and others. It can also be caused by environmental
factors such as poor hygiene and improper milking practices.
Symptoms: Symptoms include swelling, heat, redness, and pain in
the udder, abnormal milk (clots, flakes, or pus), and decreased milk
production.
Treatment: Treatment often involves antibiotic therapy targeted at the
specific bacteria causing the infection. Additionally, supportive
measures such as anti-inflammatory drugs and proper udder hygiene
are implemented. Severely affected cows may require temporary
cessation of milking to allow for healing.
 Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD)

BRD is a complex respiratory condition characterized by

infections involving multiple pathogens such as bacteria,
viruses, and mycoplasmas. It primarily affects young calves
and can lead to pneumonia, coughing, fever, and reduced
growth rates.
Cause: BRD is a complex respiratory condition caused by
a combination of viral and bacterial pathogens, including
Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and
others. Stress factors like transportation, overcrowding,
and poor ventilation can predispose cattle to BRD.
Symptoms: Symptoms include fever, nasal discharge,
coughing, labored breathing, and decreased appetite.
Treatment: Treatment involves administering antibiotics to
combat bacterial infections. Anti-inflammatory drugs may
also be given to reduce fever and inflammation.
Supportive care, such as providing adequate nutrition,
hydration, and comfortable housing, is crucial for
recovery.
 Johne's Disease
Johne's disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies
paratuberculosis (MAP), is a chronic bacterial infection affecting
the intestines of cattle. It results in chronic diarrhea, weight loss,
and reduced milk production, posing significant challenges to
dairy farm management.
 Cause: Johne's disease is caused by Mycobacterium
avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), a slow-
growing bacterium that affects the intestines of cattle.
Symptoms: Symptoms include chronic diarrhea, weight
loss, decreased milk production, and progressive
debilitation.
Treatment: Currently, there is no effective treatment to
eliminate Johne's disease from infected animals.
Management practices focus on preventing its spread
within the herd through strategies like culling affected
animals, maintaining strict hygiene measures, and
preventing the ingestion of contaminated feces or milk by
calves.
 Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD)

BVD is a viral disease caused by the bovine viral

diarrhea virus (BVDV), impacting cattle of all ages. It can
manifest as acute or persistent infections, leading to a
range of clinical signs including diarrhea, fever,
reproductive disorders, and immunosuppression.
Cause: BVD is caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus
(BVDV), a pestivirus that affects cattle worldwide. It
exists in both acute and persistent forms.
Symptoms: Symptoms vary depending on the form of
the disease but may include fever, diarrhea, nasal
discharge, oral lesions, reproductive disorders, and
immunosuppression.
Treatment: There is no specific treatment for BVD.
Management strategies focus on prevention through
vaccination, biosecurity measures, and surveillance.
Control measures may include identifying and
removing persistently infected animals from the herd
and implementing biosecurity protocols to prevent
viral spread.
 Foot Disorders

Foot disorders such as foot rot and lameness can have

detrimental effects on dairy cattle welfare and productivity.
These conditions are often caused by bacterial infections and
environmental factors, resulting in pain, lameness, and
decreased mobility.
 Cause: Foot rot is caused by bacteria, primarily
Fusobacterium necrophorum, which thrives in moist and
dirty environments, leading to infection of the interdigital
skin and soft tissues.
Symptoms: Symptoms include lameness, swelling, heat, and
foul-smelling discharge between the claws of the affected
foot.
Treatment: Treatment involves cleaning and disinfecting the
affected area, trimming overgrown hoof tissue, and
administering antibiotics, both systemically and topically.
Additionally, providing dry and clean housing environments
and proper foot hygiene practices can help prevent
recurrence. In severe cases, affected animals may require
hoof surgery to remove infected tissue.
 these were some diseases and its treatments

In conclusion, diseases present significant challenges to dairy farming, impacting animal

health, productivity, and profitability. Effective disease management strategies, including
preventive measures, timely veterinary care, and collaboration among stakeholders, are
essential for mitigating these risks. By prioritizing animal welfare and implementing
proactive measures, dairy farmers can sustainably produce high-quality milk and dairy
products while safeguarding the long-term viability of their operations.