Udder oedema is common in high-producing dairy cattle (especially heifers) before and after parturition. Predisposing causes include age at first calving (older heifers are at greater risk), gestation length, genetics, nutritional management, obesity, and lack of exercise during the pre-calving period.
Prepartum diets that contain excessive salt increase the severity of udder edema. Physiologic oedema is not usually painful and occurs when pitting oedema develops symmetrically in the udder before parturition.
Udder oedema is a risk factor for development of clinical mastitis and occasionally can become a chronic condition that persists throughout lactation. Treatment should be initiated if swelling threatens the udder support apparatus or if oedema interferes with the ability to milk the cow.
Oedema can be treated by milking cows before parturition. Positive effects of pre milking in heifers have been reported, but the practice may predispose older cows to parturient paresis (see Parturient Paresis in Cows).
Massage is repeated as often as possible, and hot compresses stimulate circulation and promote oedema reduction. Diuretics have proved highly beneficial in reducing udder oedema, and corticosteroids may be helpful. Products that combine diuretics and corticosteroids are available for the treatment of udder oedema.
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