Other health problems

Mastitis

Udder infection

Udder health

What is it?

Inflammation of the udder, usually caused by bacteria. The subclinical form raises somatic cell count and lowers milk without visible changes; the clinical form causes abnormal milk and a swollen udder.

When & who is at risk

Early lactation and the dry period; poor milking hygiene, dirty bedding, teat-end damage, weak immunity around calving.

Signs

Clots or watery milk, a hot or swollen quarter; in severe cases fever and loss of appetite.

How to check

Fore-stripping at every milking, California Mastitis Test, individual cow SCC; milk culture guides treatment by your veterinarian.

Prevention through nutrition & management

Milking hygiene and teat dipping, clean dry bedding, dry cow management; adequate vitamin E, selenium, vitamin A and zinc support immunity, especially around calving.

Herd target

Bulk tank SCC below 200,000 cells/mL (EU limit 400,000).

Retained placenta & metritis

Uterine infection

After calving

What is it?

Retained placenta: foetal membranes not expelled within about 24 hours. Metritis: infection of the uterus in the first three weeks after calving, often following retained placenta.

When & who is at risk

Difficult calving, twins, hypocalcemia, low antioxidant status, over-conditioned cows, poor calving hygiene.

Signs

Hanging membranes; later foul-smelling, watery reddish-brown discharge, fever, reduced appetite and milk.

How to check

Daily rectal temperature and discharge checks in fresh cows during the first 10 days.

Prevention through nutrition & management

Prevent hypocalcemia (negative DCAD), adequate vitamin E and selenium in the dry period, BCS 3.0–3.5 at calving, clean calving pens and trained calving assistance.

Herd target

Retained placenta in fewer than 8% of calvings.

Transition risk check →

Urinary stones (urolithiasis)

Water belly

Feedlot males · rams

What is it?

Mineral stones form in the urinary tract and can block the urethra of males. Phosphate stones are typical on high-grain diets.

When & who is at risk

Castrated males and rams on high-concentrate diets, a low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, low water intake.

Signs

Straining, dribbling urine, restlessness, kicking at the belly; if the bladder ruptures, the belly swells (‘water belly’). Emergency.

How to check

Watch urination in males on high-grain diets; call your veterinarian immediately if a blockage is suspected.

Prevention through nutrition & management

Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of about 2:1; ammonium chloride in the ration to acidify urine; salt to increase water intake; always clean, easily available water.

Herd target

No blocked animals.

Beef cattle nutrition →

Mycotoxicosis

Mould toxins in feed

Feed quality

What is it?

Health and performance problems caused by toxins produced by moulds in the field or in storage, such as aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone and fumonisins.

When & who is at risk

Drought-stressed or damaged crops, poorly stored grain, silage with air ingress and a slow face advance.

Signs

Non-specific: lower intake and milk, loose manure, poor fertility (zearalenone), weaker immunity. Aflatoxin B1 in feed passes into milk as aflatoxin M1.

How to check

Laboratory analysis of suspect feeds; aflatoxin M1 testing of milk.

Prevention through nutrition & management

Good harvest and storage (dry grain, well-sealed silage, adequate face advance), discard mouldy feed, test high-risk lots; mycotoxin binders for specific toxins, while noting that no binder works for all toxins.

Herd target

Aflatoxin M1 in milk below the legal limit (EU and Türkiye: 0.05 µg/kg).

Silage stock & feed-out →

This guide is educational and focuses on prevention through nutrition and management. Diagnosis and treatment of sick animals are the job of your veterinarian.