1. Vitamin C and Mastitis in Dairy Cattle

Mastitis is inflammation of the udder, usually caused by bacterial infection, and is a common disease in dairy cows and buffaloes. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays a supportive role in mastitis management by boosting immunity and reducing inflammation. Although ruminants can synthesize vitamin C, sick or stressed animals often have lower tissue and milk levels of vitamin C than healthy onesbdvets.org. For example, cows with clinical mastitis have significantly reduced plasma and milk vitamin C, and the more severe the mastitis, the lower the vitamin C concentrationsbdvets.org.

Vitamin C is a potent water-soluble antioxidant. It scavenges reactive oxygen species and protects cell membranes from oxidative damage during inflammationbdvets.org. In mastitic tissue, oxidative stress can damage glandular cells, so adequate vitamin C helps limit tissue injury and speeds healing. Vitamin C also supports the function of immune cells: neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that kills mastitis bacteria) contain much more vitamin C than serum, and infections rapidly deplete that supply. Experimental studies show that injecting cows with ascorbic acid enhances neutrophil activity, improving their ability to ingest and kill mastitis bacteriaanimbiosci.org. In one trial, cows treated with subcutaneous vitamin C had a faster recovery from mastitis, likely because vitamin C boosted immune defenses and aided tissue repairanimbiosci.organimbiosci.org.

Practically, vitamin C can be given as part of mastitis therapy. Some studies found that applying a teat dip or intramammary infusion containing ascorbic acid (often with copper) reduced udder infection and inflammationbdvets.org. Injecting 20–25 mg/kg vitamin C beneath the skin during mastitis has also been reported to speed recovery by enhancing leukocyte functionanimbiosci.org. Farmers sometimes supplement high-producing or sick cows’ diet with vitamin C, although the evidence is mixed: in one experiment, adding 30 g/day of vitamin C to the diet did increase blood vitamin C levels, but did not change neutrophil “bacteria-killing” activity; it did slightly lower somatic cell count (an inflammation marker) in milk, howeverpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Key points: Vitamin C is not a cure for mastitis but an adjunct therapy. It acts as an anti-oxidant and immune booster. In practice, ensure cows have good overall nutrition (including vitamin C sources like fresh green feed), and consider vitamin C injections or topical application under veterinary advice. Some farmers use natural vitamin C sources (rose hips, citrus peel) or commercial supplements during high mastitis risk periods. Always combine vitamin therapy with antibiotics or other vet-prescribed treatments for infected uddersbdvets.organimbiosci.org.

2. Mouth Ulcers (Stomatitis) in Cattle and Buffaloes

Mouth ulcers – painful sores or erosions on the tongue, gums, lips, or inside cheeks – can occur in cows and buffaloes for many reasons. Affected animals usually drool excessively, hold food out of the mouth, and lose condition because eating is painfulnadis.org.uk. Common causes include:

Infections. Several viral and bacterial diseases cause oral ulcers. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus and vesicular stomatitis virus produce vesicles that rupture into ulcers on the tongue and gums. These ulcers are often extremely painful, causing drooling, fever, lameness and sudden milk drop. (See Section 3 on FMD). Bovine papular stomatitis (orf-like virus) causes small erosions on the muzzle and mouth of calves; it is usually mild and self-limitingnadis.org.uk. Calf diphtheria (necrotic stomatitis) is a bacterial infection (Fusobacterium necrophorum) following mouth abrasions; it leads to ulcers and swollen cheeks in young calvesnadis.org.uk. Actinobacillosis (“wooden tongue”) creates deep, firm tongue ulcers and abscesses after abrasions, often due to rough foragesnadis.org.uk. Actinomycosis (“lumpy jaw”) can cause hard swellings and draining ulcers of the jaw bone near the mouthnadis.org.uk. Viral diseases like Bovine Viral Diarrhea or Malignant Catarrhal Fever can also cause mouth erosions, especially in outbreak form.

Trauma and Irritants. Abrasive or sharp feed (long straw, thistles) or foreign objects (metal wire, sticks) can cut or irritate the mouth lining, causing ulcers. Chemical irritants (caustic plants like cejphalaria or ragwort) can burn mouth tissues. Physical mishandling (e.g. rough use of stomach tubes or dosing guns) is a known risk for oral lesionsnadis.org.uk. Injuries often result in localized ulcers and swelling, with pus if secondarily infected.

Nutritional deficiencies. Severe vitamin A or B-vitamin deficiency can impair mucous membrane health, leading to sores (though this is rare if diet is balanced). Magnesium deficiency can cause “grass tetany” rather than ulcers. Overfeeding immunosuppressants or mycotoxins in mouldy feed may predispose to stomatitis.

Others. Chronic kidney or liver disease (making blood toxins) can cause ulcerative stomatitis. Autoimmune-like conditions or foreign body reactions (e.g., “canker”) are uncommon in cattle.

Symptoms: Animals with oral ulcers are reluctant to eat, drool saliva, and may develop foul breath. Lesions on the tongue or palate may be visible (ulcerated areas or scabs). Affected cows lose weight and milk yield. If a bacterial infection extends to the throat, you may see fever or neck swelling. Some causes (FMD, vesicular stomatitis) will also produce similar blisters on the feet or teats; others (diphtheria) cause foul-smelling pus.

Treatment: Identify the cause with your vet. For viral cases (FMD, vesicular stomatitis, bovine papular stomatitis), no specific cure exists – treatment is supportive. Provide pain relief (NSAIDs like flunixin or meloxicam by injection), and soft, palatable feed and clean water so the animal will eat. Cleansing the ulcers with mild antiseptics (e.g. dilute iodine or chlorhexidine wash) can help prevent secondary infectionmerckvetmanual.commerckvetmanual.com. For example, a 3–5% povidone-iodine rinse can be gently dribbled into the mouth (avoid swallowing in large amounts). Ensure plenty of shade and reduce herd stress. Calf ulcers or diphtheria from bacterial infection require prompt antibiotics. Calf diphtheria often responds to 5–7 days of penicillin or ampicillinnadis.org.uk. Wooden tongue is treated with prolonged penicillin and streptomycin (and anti-inflammatories), which usually resolves the lesionsnadis.org.uk. Accompany with good soft feed, and in severe cases drench fluids/electrolytes if the calf refuses to drink.

Natural remedies: Some herbal treatments may soothe ulcers. Anecdotally, saltwater rinses (5% saline) can dry out small aphthous lesions. Spraying pure honey or sugar solution on sores (as done in honeybee wound care) can promote healing. In one study, washing FMD blisters with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) solution followed by honey and millet flour led to very rapid healingpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. (The salt wash removes debris, honey is antimicrobial and soothing). Farmers often groom ulcerated cows gently to reduce stress, and separate them for quiet recovery. Ensure adequate vitamins (especially B-complex) and minerals, which support mucosal health.

Prevention and management: Maintain good hygiene of feeding equipment (clean buckets/tubes) to avoid transmitting infections. Avoid feeding very fibrous or moldy feed that can cut or irritate the mouth. Handle calves carefully when dosing or tube-feeding. Vaccination programs (e.g. FMD vaccine where used) will prevent viral stomatitis. Provide balanced nutrition and avoid sudden diet changes. Keep calves and cows separately if one group is sick. In summary, early isolation of sick animals, gentle supportive care, and veterinary treatment of underlying causes (with drugs if needed) are key. Mild cases often heal in a week; severe ulcers may require weeks of care.

3. Blood in Milk (Hemolactia) – Causes and Care

Seeing pink or red discoloration in milk (often called hemolactia or “strawberry milk”) alarms farmers and consumers. It means red blood cells or blood pigments have entered the milk. Common causes include:

Postpartum vessel rupture. After calving, the udder engorges rapidly and small capillaries can burst. A slight pink tinge in colostrum or early milk is relatively normal and usually stops within two weeksuaf.edu.pkuaf.edu.pk. During this time the udder may be swollen and red (congested) and microscopic blood can leak into the milk (called diapedesis). Farmers often see blood in milk 1–3 days after calving for this reasonthepharmajournal.com. This “physiological hemorrhage” typically subsides as udder tissue adapts.

Milking or physical trauma. Rough milking (excessive vacuum or hand pressure), teat-end damage, or cuts on the teat canal can bleed into milkuaf.edu.pk. Teat splits, frostbite, or udder bruising (from kicking or lying on hard objects) also cause bleeding. In these cases, blood usually comes from one quarter only and can be blackish (venous) or bright red if an artery is nickeduaf.edu.pk. Edematous, pendulous udders are more prone to vessel injury. Always check the udder and teat for visible wounds or swelling when blood appears.

Mastitis and udder infections. Some bacteria (especially Staphylococcus aureus, coliforms like E. coli, or even Clostridia) cause severe mastitis that can damage blood vessels in the gland. Acute mastitis often has blood (and pus) mixed with milk. A “cold mastitis” (like in leptospirosis) causes hemorrhagic secretions without much inflammationuaf.edu.pk. To rule out infection, test the milk (California Mastitis Test or send to lab). If infection is suspected, treat it promptly with appropriate intramammary or injectable antibiotics. Also give anti-inflammatories (e.g. flunixin) and ensure the cow drains the infected quarter daily.

Systemic diseases. Leptospirosis is a classic cause: infected animals may leak blood into all four quarters’ milkuaf.edu.pk. Characteristically, leptospiral mastitis (“lepto mastitis”) produces thick, reddish milk with visible clots and blood shardsuaf.edu.pk. Other infections like bovine viral diarrhea or malignant catarrhal fever can cause scattered petechiae and bloody milk, but leptospirosis is most often mentioned. Lepto-infected cows may also have fever, bloody urine, or abortions. In small outbreaks, brucellosis can also cause teat canal erosions and bloody milk. If you suspect leptospirosis or brucellosis, contact a vet for testing and follow local control measures (including antibiotics or vaccination if appropriate).

Toxins and diet. Some plants contain toxins or dyes that color milk. For example, ingestion of bilberry family plants (blueberries, oaks), sweet clover mold (dicumarol), red madder, or certain weeds can give milk a reddish hue. Ruminants feeding heavily on such plants may appear normal but produce discolored milkuaf.edu.pk. Such cases often appear sporadic and may require looking at pasture contents. Stopping the offending feed usually stops the staining.

Blood disorders. Severe platelet deficiency (thrombocytopenia) or blood clotting disorders can cause diffuse oozing of blood, including into milkuaf.edu.pk. Vitamin C deficiency (causing scurvy) or certain metabolic diseases (e.g. ketosis harming blood vessels) are rarely implicated.

Symptoms and signs: The only obvious sign is pink, red or cola-colored milk. If infection is the cause, the cow may have a hot, swollen quarter, a high somatic cell count, fever or udder pain. Blood from injury may accompany visible cuts or bruises on the udder. In leptospirosis, aside from bloody milk, you might see poor appetite, drop in milk, and possibly jaundice or red urine. Injured udders may leak blood but usually no systemic illness.

Treatment and management:

Postpartum bleed: In most fresh cows with slight bleeding, no treatment is needed. Simply continue gentle milking (the calf nursing may actually help drain milk and speed healingriversfamilyfarm.com). Some farmers gradually reduce feeding of high-grain diets to avoid sudden overproduction (slowing milk build-up prevents more capillary ruptures)riversfamilyfarm.com. Ensure the cow is kept calm and well-fed (excess stress will not help). If blood in milk persists beyond 2 weeks postpartum, seek veterinary advice.

Udder injury: For cuts or tears, clean the wound with iodine or similar antiseptic, and bandage the teat if possible (wearing a clean stripcup for milking). Apply a topical antibacterial/sting-relieving udder ointment. NSAID injections can reduce swelling and pain. Monitor for mastitis; if infection develops, treat as below. Tranexamic acid (an antifibrinolytic) and vitamin K are sometimes used in practice to slow bleeding, but should be done under vet guidance.

Mastitis: If mastitis is confirmed, follow a standard treatment course of antibiotics (systemic and/or intra-mammary as directed). Continue frequent milking to empty the quarter. Provide anti-inflammatories and plenty of water. In the case of a “cold mastitis” from leptospira, treat with appropriate antibiotics (e.g. dihydrostreptomycin or tetracycline) and supportive care. The prognosis depends on the pathogen and cow’s condition.

Dietary causes: Remove any suspect plant material from the diet. Offer fresh, uncontaminated feed and water. Blood discoloration from feed usually resolves as the toxin/dye is cleared from the body.

Prevention: Good udder management is key. Use proper milking technique and functioning equipment (adjust vacuum, time, pulsation) to avoid teat damage. Provide soft bedding and avoid overcrowding to prevent trampling injuries. Vaccinate against leptospirosis if it is known in your area. Test and cull chronic carriers of mastitis pathogens. Keep feeding areas clean to avoid toxic plants or molds. Rapidly address any udder swelling or injury in future calves.

Farm tip: If blood appears in only one quarter and the cow seems well, strip out that quarter first and see if it clears. Always check milk for clots: milk with lots of fibrin clots often means true hemorrhage. If unsure, collect some milk in a jar: let it sit; if blood clots form at the bottom (as in [28]), it indicates active bleeding. You can milk out the blood and feed it to the calf; low levels of blood usually do not harm a nursing calfriversfamilyfarm.com.

4. Severe Milk Reduction (Doodh Ki Shadeed Kami)

A sudden or severe drop in milk yield can be caused by many stressors, diseases or management problems. Understanding the root cause is crucial to restoring production. Common contributing factors include:

Illness and metabolic disorders: Diseases divert nutrients away from milk. For example, mastitis (even subclinical) forces the cow’s body to channel energy toward immune responses instead of milk synthesisextension.psu.edu. Postpartum problems like milk fever (low calcium), ketosis (energy crisis), displaced abomasum, or metritis all reduce appetite and milk. Pneumonia or parasitism (lungworms, heavy fluke) can have the same effect. Any infection or fever will blunt the peak of lactation and cause milk loss.

Nutrition and feed: Poor energy or protein intake is a common cause. A cow needs sufficient calories and nutrients to produce milk. Rations low in fermentable carbohydrates or protein will limit yield. Also imbalanced rations (wrong calcium:phosphorus ratio, too little fiber) can cause sub-clinical acidosis or hypocalcemia, reducing appetite and milk. “Thin” cows or those losing body condition will not sustain high milk. Water is crucial – even mild dehydration lowers milk volume.

Stress (environmental/handling): Stress hormones (cortisol) inhibit milk let-down and reduce appetite. Heat stress is a major culprit: when cows pant to cool down, their feed intake drops sharply, causing significant milk losspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Cattle cannot sweat effectively, so they suffer more than sheep or goats in hot weather. Even cool-season animals may suffer in sudden heat waves. Other stressors include sudden weather changes, transportation, regrouping herds, overcrowding, or loud noises. Behavioral stress also plays a role: studies show that cows experiencing fear or rough handling produce less milkpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In short, a relaxed cow eats and yields more.

Environment and housing: Poor barn conditions (inadequate ventilation, damp or muddy pens, too hot or cold), lack of shade or shelter, or long distances to feed/water all affect intake. Seasonal changes (like beginning of winter or summer) often coincide with milk dips. Cold stress increases energy needs for warmth, so inadequate winter feed can reduce milk. High humidity, flies or inadequate lighting can also impair production.

Management factors: Mistakes in milking routine (skipping a milking or milking too early/late) cause abrupt production loss. A short dry period (too little rest before calving) may blunt next lactation. Calving difficulty (dystocia) or twins can lower yield. Inexperience of the calf (if nursing) or udder anomalies also matter. Even personality and genetics: low-genetic cows will drop more for the same stress.

Restoring milk production: First, identify and correct the limiting factor(s).

Health check: Examine cows for disease. Test for mastitis (CMT, culture), ketosis (ketone test), parasites, or mineral imbalances (calcium, magnesium levels). Treat all identifiable illnesses: give antibiotics for infections, anthelmintics for worms, vitamins (A, D, E, and B-complex especially), minerals (Mg, Se, etc.) as recommended. Provide dextrose or propylene glycol drench for ketosis if needed, and calcium supplements for milk fever. Show and cull chronically ill or non-producing animals.

Nutrition upgrade: Ensure the ration is properly balanced for a high-producing cow. Increase energy density with good-quality forages and concentrates. During periods of stress (e.g. heat), feed highly digestible, lower-fiber diets that minimize heat of fermentationdairy.extension.wisc.edu. Adding bypass fat or vegetable oils (up to ~5% of diet) can boost calories without excess heat productiondairy.extension.wisc.edu. Check that protein, vitamins and minerals meet requirements. Always provide fresh, clean water (milk is ~85% water!). Adding soluble buffers (e.g. sodium bicarbonate) can help if acidosis is suspected.

Reduce stress: Keep cows cool, dry and comfortable. In summer, provide shade, ventilation and fans; spray water on cows (foggers) with good airflowcanr.msu.edu. Feed during the cooler night or morning hours to encourage intake (and avoid feeding times around midday heat). Handle cattle calmly and gently, especially when it’s hot. Avoid overcrowding at the feed bunk or waterers – make sure space and water are available so every cow can eat and drink at willcanr.msu.edueurope.pahc.com.

Management adjustments: Increase milking frequency if possible (e.g. from 2 to 3 times daily) to stimulate yield. Provide softer, more palatable feed (e.g. early-cut silage, legume hay) to tempt cows. Clean and mend any ragged bunks so cattle don’t waste feed. If a specific calf is not nursing well, try a different nursing strategy (e.g. foster an orphan with a good teat or tube-feed colostrum). Make sure milking equipment is working properly (no vacuum loss). Maintain a consistent routine – cows thrive on regularity.

Environmental fixes: Keep cows dry and standing on clean bedding. In winter, reduce cold stress by breaking the wind in open areas or providing shelter. In summer, avoid heat build-up in barns. Repair barn leaks or tears that can cause drafts or water issues. Provide adequate footing to reduce lameness, since lame cows eat less and drop milk.

Practical tips: If the milk loss is sudden across the herd, suspect feed or equipment problems first. Evaluate recent feed changes, silage quality, or water supply issues. Check feed for mycotoxins (mold) or spoilage. Compare body condition – are cows looking thin? Sometimes, simply correcting a small dietary imbalance or fixing a broken fan can restore production. Be patient: once the underlying issue is fixed, production often rebounds within a week or two. Continue good management and consider working with a nutritionist to fine-tune rations.

5. Heat Stroke (Hyperthermia) in Cattle and Buffaloes

Heat stroke in cattle (often called severe heat stress) is an emergency. Cows and buffaloes are particularly prone because their natural cooling (sweating, panting) is limited. Buffaloes sweat very little and heat up quickly in sun. Identifying heat stroke: Watch for animals that are panting or breathing rapidly (more than 80 breaths per minute). Early stages show cows standing with nostrils flared and tongues out, drooling salivacanr.msu.edueurope.pahc.com. Affected animals often gather under the limited shade or crowd around watering points. As heat stroke worsens, cattle may exhibit open-mouth breathing with tongue hanging, heavy drooling or foaming at the mouth, and appear weak or disoriented. In the most severe stage, a cow will have an extremely high respiratory rate followed by a sudden drop in breathing and collapsecanr.msu.edu.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/heat_stress_cattle_tips_to_keep_your_cattle_cool

Figure: Heat-stressed cows; note heavy drooling and open-mouth breathing – signs of severe heat stress (Stage 4+). Always provide ample shade, water, and ventilation to prevent this.

Key signs of heat stroke include:

  • High respiratory rate (panting) with possible open-mouth breathingcanr.msu.edu.

  • Excessive salivation or foaming (white drips at mouth)canr.msu.edu.

  • Weakness, staggering or collapse (especially if the animal lies down and stops moving).

  • Hot, dry muzzle and red mucous membranes.

  • Possible fever (udder temperature over 40°C, but by collapse stage the animal may cool slightly).

Immediate treatment: Act fast – heat stroke can be fatal within hours. Move the animal out of sun into shade or a cool barn. Begin active cooling: spray or sponge the cow with cool (not ice-cold) water over the whole body, especially the head, neck and large muscle areascanr.msu.edueurope.pahc.com. Turn on fans to blow air over the wet skin (evaporative cooling). Provide free-choice fresh, cool drinking water (cows will drink more when they are cooled slightly). Some farmers slip large ice blocks into the water trough to keep it cool (cows prefer 15–20°C watercanr.msu.edu). Give electrolytes (oral salts or an IV saline drip) to replace lost salts and prevent dehydration. Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. flunixin meglumine) and vitamin B-complex injections may help the stressed metabolism; use only under veterinary guidance. Importantly, do not force-feed or leave the cow standing too long; allow her to lie in a sternal position so she can drink.

Even after cooling, watch the cow closely for “recurring” heat stroke in the next few days (body’s cooling mechanisms can fail). If the cow survives, gradually reintroduce normal diet and care; she should recover completely if cooled in time.

Prevention: Prevention is far easier than treatment. Always ensure:

Shade and shelter: Cows need access to shade (trees or shade cloth) especially during midday sun. Buffaloes may benefit from mud wallows or water spray baths.

Ample water: Provide clean, cool water in multiple places. A mature cow can drink 80+ liters in a hot day. Water troughs should be shallow and cleaned daily to encourage drinking. Placing buried water lines or shading troughs helps keep water temperature lowcanr.msu.edueurope.pahc.com.

Ventilation: In barns, install fans, ridge vents or open sidewalls. Aim for a horizontal airflow above the cows. Avoid placing sprinklers without fans – wetting the animals without air movement can raise humidity and worsen heat stresscanr.msu.edu.

Feeding management: Offer the most nutritious feed during cooler times (early morning, late evening) so intake remains higheurope.pahc.com. Feeding in the heat (midday) increases metabolic heat. Including energy-dense feeds (fats) can compensate for reduced feed intake.

Dress for the sun: On very hot days, keeping cows and buffaloes clean and clipping excess hair can help heat loss. Buffaloes particularly should have their midsection shaved if skin sunburn is a risk.

Early warning: Know the climate index: a Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) above ~72 indicates heat stress risk for cattle. Weather apps and local advisories can warn of dangerous heat. If the night is warm, cows cannot offload daytime heat; be extra vigilant then.

Farmers should also consider nutritional supplements that support cattle in heat (e.g. buffers, antioxidants). Groom cows regularly – dusty or dirty hair coats can trap heat. Finally, train to recognize the early restlessness and panting of heat stresscanr.msu.edueurope.pahc.com so interventions (misting, moving cows to shade) can occur before full-blown heat stroke develops.

In summary, heat stroke in cows or buffalo presents as severe panting, drooling, weakness and collapse. Immediate cooling and rehydration are critical. Long-term, maintain a cooling program (shade, water, ventilation) to prevent heat stroke in the first placecanr.msu.edueurope.pahc.com. A few simple changes – more fans, early feeding, extra troughs – can avoid the tragedy of heat-killed cattle and protect herd productivity through hot seasons.

Sources: Authoritative veterinary and extension publications were used, including studies on bovine mastitis and immunitybdvets.organimbiosci.orgpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, livestock health guidesnadis.org.ukmerckvetmanual.comcanr.msu.edueurope.pahc.com, and field trials in traditional settingspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govthepharmajournal.com. These inform the practical recommendations given here.