by H J Karreman, VMD
Cows and the Landscape
The natural treatment of dairy cows begins with a farm's pastures, hayfields, cropland, meadows and streams. The biological health of the farm's natural resources is the basis of livestock health. This is because farm animals, especially cattle, need to eat grasses (fresh and dried hay) due to their ruminant digestive system. They effortlessly turn grass into milk. Cattle and other ruminants are mammals that can digest and convert otherwise inedible plants into food and fiber for people to enjoy. No other types of animals occupy such an ecological niche. The soil’s biological vitality, through enrichment by manure, is the basis for vigorous stands of plants which cattle will utilize. So in a sense, cattle turn soil into milk through their unique digestion and return to the earth a living fertilizer as they walk and graze. It is a cycle that is part of the blueprint of our planet. Maximizing it, as farmers who practice management intensive grazing, leads to a healthy herd of animals, a healthy landscape and also the cheapest means to produce milk commercially. Research now also shows that ruminants that graze fresh grasses have higher levels of conjugated linoleic acids in their milk and meat. These CLA's, as they are known, are very good in preventing cancer.
Unfortunately, many in conventional dairy farming confine animals to indoor pens and concrete for their entire lives. These systems rely heavily on artificial means to produce massive quantities of milk. They also consume massive amounts of energy in the form of non-renewable resources such as petroleum products for fuel, electricity, fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides. Enormous quantities of water are also involved. These confinement systems build up huge volumes of liquid manure that undergoes anaerobic processes and releases highly objectionable odors when spread onto fields. Everything in these concentrated animal feed operations (CAFO’s) seems to utterly divorce the biological symbiosis of the dairy cow and the land.
While controlling limited resources is a characteristic of all farmers, a farmer who actively pursues ecologically sound principles seems more akin to an artist creating a peaceful landscape. This is in contrast to the farmer running machinery round the clock, continuously pushing for maximal production – basically a factory producing the cheapest product where the inputs might as well be machines rather than living creations of biology.
The Farm's Agro-ecology
Fortunately, farmers who base their management decisions taking into account all life on the farm no doubt create a harmonious environment to work in – for their animals and themselves. Even though a commercial setting exists, it exists in context to the region’s indigenous plants and wildlife. The benefits of streambank fencing, for example, are multiple. By fencing cows to stay out of streams, they will not drink potentially contaminated water nor will they excrete manure and urine directly into a waterway. More directly beneficial to the farmer is that cows won’t step on submerged stones, puncture their hoof soles and become lame. Protected streambanks will also quickly grow vegetation, which sets the stage for fish habitat. Field hedgerows, if allowed to grow, harbor nesting birds and beneficial insects to keep balance with crop pests. These edges of fields are a good area to possibly grow medicinally useful herbs like purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia), goldenseal (Hydrastis candensis), wild marigold (Calendula), arnica, and garlic on which grazing animals may browse if they feel the urge. Woodlands, whose shade is welcomed by animals of all sorts in the summer and as windbreaks in the winter, offer an "insulation" effect to the farm's pastures and meadows that they surround.
The ideal farm is a self-sufficient ecosystem that produces food for society and profit for the farmer without hidden costs to society in the form of damaging pollution and erosion to the local landscape. This situation is rare, but farmers who approach this ideal should be rewarded. Although monetary rewards can be elusive and are based in large part on the farmer’s ability to effectively promote and market their end product, the everyday reward of herd health is very real and can be enjoyed anytime. Alive with biodiversity, an ecologically healthy landscape is a joy to work in. Contrast this with residues left on the fields and soils routinely sprayed with petrochemical herbicides and insecticides.
The Barnyard
So, if the natural treatment of dairy cattle begins on the farm’s landscape, then when and where else on the farm can it be continued and further enhanced? As we move in from the fields to the barnyard, we need to still consider clean water and the cows’ environment. Even on organic farms that do not spray harmful chemicals on the fields, there can be ‘breaks’ in the overall farm health when it comes to the barnyard. Traditionally the barnyard is simply an area where the cows can go while the barn is cleaned, especially so during the winter months. Oftentimes it is a dirt area (not concrete) and when it becomes wet, it can become very muddy and sloppy. Cows standing in such areas are more prone to contagious hoof infections like hoof rot and digital dermatitis (hairy heel wart, strawberry heel, etc.). In addition, pathogenic bacteria from manure may be present and warm, wet muck is an ideal place for them to multiply. Even in concrete barnyards, puddling of liquids can occur which may be lapped up by cows on occasion and can lead to the animal’s sickness. To avoid wet and mucky barnyards, proper drainage is critical. Putting up roof gutters/spouting and directing roof water away from congregating areas is essential. So too is providing enough clean drinking water so animals don’t seek out puddles from which to drink. Remember that an adult dairy cow can drink between 10 and 30 gallons of water per day depending on the animal’s size, stage of lactation and the season of year. If the farmer does not provide them with it they will seek it out from any source. By providing fresh water the quality can be controlled or even improved if need be. Slow moving or stagnant surface waters can carry bacteria such as leptospiras, coliforms, salmonella, mycobacteria and clostridia as well as parasites such as coccidia, giardia, and cryptosporidia. Warm weather enhances these organisms to multiply rapidly; thus tubs with self-filling devices are the best when placed strategically. Keeping these clean from algae and other debris can be managed by dumping them and scouring the sides with a nearby wad of tall grass. If using concrete in the barnyard, try to have grooves in it for traction for the animals. These grooves can be created into existing barnyards as well. Cows’ hooves slip easily on slick, wet concrete especially if the cow is weak (due to a recent calving, etc.) They can tear a muscle or worse and not be able to rise after slipping.
In the Barn
Environmental conditions in the barn that enhance health and cow comfort are many. Ecologically oriented farmers graze as much as possible, but even so, cows will be indoors in bad weather to not ruin pastures by trampling. A good ventilation system goes a long way to reduce respiratory problems (especially in young animals). Also, if enough air is quickly moving through, fly problems will be reduced because the cows’ coats will be drier. Flies are attracted to moist, glistening fur. Heavily powdering the cows with powdered limestone will greatly prevent flies from being attracted to the cows. This will wash off in the rain, but then the lime will be in the fields where it would probably be spread anyway. The cows can be coated with this as often as necessary. Also, fly boxes with pheromones to attract and then trap flies are good in the windowsills or as a walk through when the cows are entering or leaving the barn. Walk through devices can also be electrified to kill flies as they are brushed off the cow walking through the box. Fly tape, the sticky kind that can be reeled in as needed is especially helpful, when used in combination with the aforementioned fly reduction methods. Putting either straw, fodder or rock phosphate into the gutters will help dry the manure as well as adding needed carbon and/or phosphorus to the manure that will eventually be spread on to the fields.
Enough windows and natural lighting is essential – if too dark, animals tend to spook easily. This is seen mainly in older barns with pens of calves in the back areas. But dark areas of barns may also be where more nervous milking animals are found. Curtain barns are recently popular and rightly so. They allow for controlled access of the wind and outdoor temperatures into the stable. In the summer the curtains can be rolled all the way down and are great for ventilation. Lighting in these stables is optimal.
Access to natural light is essential for normal functioning of animals’ endocrine systems. For instance, length of daylight is critical for normal reproductive activity in sheep, goats and horses. Sheep and goats naturally come into heat in the autumn when the length of daylight is short whereas horses come into heat in the spring when the length of daylight is long. This has to do with the optic nerve in the eye absorbing daylight at specific wavelengths activating melatonin, which in turn activates the reproductive axis between the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary gland and the gonads. As is well known, goats, sheep and horses bear their young in the springtime when there is ample fresh feed in the form of pasture grass. Cattle do not have such defined breeding times but tend to conceive better in the late spring and early summer, which also would ensure calving time nine months later to be in early spring when the grasses are becoming green.
Bedding of animals is certainly an issue within the barn. Good materials are inert. Some examples are sand, fodder, straw, sawdust, and chopped newspaper. But any material, except perhaps sand, can create a health problem if saturated with moisture. Bacteria and parasites like damp and warm environments. For lactating cows bedded with sawdust and leaking milk (for whatever reason), an outbreak of coliform mastitis may occur – especially in the hot and humid days of summer. But by mixing in lime with the sawdust before bedding the stalls, a likely reduction of coliform cases can be occur. Also by vaccinating with one of the coliform products (Endovac or J-5) in the dry period, sickness due to coliform mastitis will be reduced as well as reducing coliform diarrhea in calves (providing the calf gets enough colostrum from its vaccinated dam).
Bedding of calf pens is usually accomplished by straw or fodder. This is excellent bedding except for the fact that calves tend to nibble it. This is due to their instinctive urge to develop their immature rumen. But they can become infected by taking in bedding with manure on it. This urge is magnified many times when calves are purposely deprived of hay due to recommendations from feed company nutritionists. It is indeed unfortunate that many so-called nutritionists push farmers to feed only grain and milk- replacer to calves for fastest rate of gain. (Of course the same nutritionists are the ones who also are selling the grain and milk-replacer – quite self-serving of them, no?) The healthiest calves are those allowed to develop their rumen quickest – and that is by freely consuming hay. If not allowed, they will nibble bedding and infect themselves with fecal material.
For dairy cows the best bedding, as far as comfort goes, is either fairly deep straw/fodder or the use of mattresses. Mattresses are professionally installed and have a tough canvas-like material filled with chopped rubber. Cows on these mattresses do not develop the hock swellings so common with cows that lay on damp concrete.
Fresh, clean water in the barn is best provided by an overhead PVC line that runs the length of the tie-stalls and is connected to individual water bowls for each pair of cows. In free-stalls, water tanks with fairly shallow troughs are best for more frequent fresh water being introduced as well as for easier clean out. Some people advocate installation of hydrogen peroxide units, which meter in a specified amount of hydrogen peroxide per volume of water being drawn. If using such a system to reduce bacterial load in the water, make sure it is effective the entire length of the line (to the last bowl or trough) as hydrogen peroxide gets used up as it gets in contact with organic material. Sometimes an ultra-violet light is installed so water passing by it is exposed to it and bacteria are killed. If nitrates are a problem, then salt-type filters may be needed. Don't discount a moderate nitrate level in the water – adding in other sources of nitrogen in the animals' diet may tax your cows' liver processing abilities. The bottom line on drinking water is to get it tested periodically to know its quality for certain. Remember that water is the most important nutrient in the cow's diet.
In the Cow
Having just described the association between the environment and cow health, it should be stated that no matter how well managed a dairy farm is in terms of pasturelands, water quality, barnyards and stables – there will always be an animal that may become ill. It is a fact of life. Factors that play into an animal's individual health include (but are not limited to): its environment, nutritional status, stress level, stage of lactation, immunogentics and…simple fate. Remember that a random event like a severe cut that needs stitching can occur anytime and independent of the aforementioned factors. This points out something worth repeating – no matter how ecologically well-run a dairy farm is, there is always the possibility of an animal needing medical attention by either farmer or veterinarian. There are certainly a lot of remedies that a farmer can utilize to help an animal recover from a problem. However, the farmer must recognize early on that a problem exists and nip it in the bud in order to see the best effects from complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM). The farmer must also be able to recognize a serious situation when a veterinarian needs to be called in and not hesitate to do so.
That said, let's look at some treatment modalities that are useable on dairy cows. Some of these include homeopathy, herbs and botanical medicines, acupuncture, colostrum-whey products, probiotics, vitamins, minerals and essential oils. In order of cost, the least expensive would be acupuncture – but one needs to be professionally trained. Learning acupressure points can help in determining possible causes of problems, but actual placement of needles is best left to a trained individual. The next cheapest would be homeopathy, but precision is extremely important in selecting the appropriate remedy and potency. However, homeopathy does lend itself to lay people (not medical professionals) learning about it in depth if they so choose. Herbs and botanical medicines are probably next cheapest and they have a good body of scientific information behind them. Probiotics and colostrum-whey products are not so cheap, mainly owing to the need to process raw materials and package them appropriately. Supplemental vitamins and minerals are probably the same cost as probiotics per dose. Essential oils, those highly concentrated distillates of botanical origin, can be expensive to obtain but not much is needed due to their concentration. However, they should be used with some caution with lactating animals since the milk may pick up their scent.
My own preference as a dairy practitioner is to take a multi-prong approach to most problems I encounter. This means actively treating the condition diagnosed by physical exam, then perhaps giving intravenous fluids, homeopathy and colostrum-whey products while also trying to uncover why the animal contracted the problem and discussing how to prevent other animals from getting it.
Some Common Problems and Treatments
Milk Fever (hypocalcemia)
IV calcium; follow-up with homeopathic (“HP”) Calc phos every few hours for a day or two. If the cow is standing but wobbly, HP Calc phos may be all that’s needed. Or an oral calcium product may be used. Only use a calcium oxide or calcium propionate product—not calcium chloride as it burns the cow’s throat. Prevent milk fever by slightly acidifying the bloodstream by using ½ cup (4oz) apple cider vinegar once daily for the last 3 weeks before calving. It can be put on their silage or in their water. This is an mild alternative to anionic salts that are very unpalatable.
Mastitis—prevention is best!
Make sure: cows are dry and comfortable; that they are washed, dried and strip a few squirts of milk before placing milking unit on the cow; make sure the milking system is working properly as far as vacuum and pulsation is concerned (small round rings around the ends of many cows’ teats indicate too much vacuum fluctuation during milking); teat cup liners need to be changed as recommended by manufacturer; leaking cows have a teat sealant used between milkings; people milking the cows have clean and dry hands or wear disposable gloves; milking units are cleansed after a known mastitic cow (use a 1 part Clorox to 9 parts hot water mix); that known mastitic cows are milked last and first-calf heifers are milked first; and that abnormal milk is cultured to know what bacteria is present so appropriate management changes can be made and that abnormal milk is not put into the milk tank.
A treatment from the 1930’s is to take 20 cc of the cow’s own milk and inject it back into her under the skin every other day for 5 times. An abscess may occur but generally goes away. Use a new needle and cleanse the area with alcohol before injecting. Do not do this with watery type coliform mastitis.
Herbally, garlic is excellent. One whole bulb given twice daily. A mild antibiotic.
A fairly effective treatment for a mild flare-up given 3 milkings in a row includes: 20cc vitamin B complex and 60cc vitamin C in the muscle and 35cc of a colostrum whey product under the skin. Also a homeopathic remedy given orally or in the vulva 3-4 times daily for 2-3 days in a row.
Homeopathic remedies to choose from for mastitis depend on symptoms observed. Change remedies as symptoms change (this applies to any condition treated by homeopathy).
Fever
Aconitum (rapid onset) given every 30 minutes
Belladonna (hot, hard quarter) given every hour
Pyrogenium (septic, sick cow; perhaps with retained placenta) given 3-4 times daily.
Watery secretion
Aresenicum, given every 1-2 hours
Pyrogenium, given as above
Pus
Phytolacca (stringy, cow fights being stripped out) given 4 times daily
Hepar sulph (thickened milk) given 3-4 times daily
Hard quarter
Apis (animal likes cool cloth applied)
Belladonna
Bryonia (slow moving cow, lays on affected side)
Calc carb (big, blocky, slow moving peaceful type cow)
Calc phos (lean, touchy, nervous type cow)
Phytolacca (especially if supra-mammary lymph nodes enlarged)
Silica (for longer standing condition with possible scar tissue)
If a cow has hard quarter, watery mastitis with fever, also give intravenous bottle of vitamin C as an anti-oxidant, hypertonic saline to make her drink water and, if milking a lot, give calcium. Also applying peppermint ointment to the udder itself can cool down a very hot and painful udder. Apply it at least twice daily.
Bloat
Two kinds: One occurs due to continuous feeding on lush alfalfa and clover in the spring and fall (frothy bloat) and the other occurs sporadically or as a result of hardware disease (free gas bloat). Both are actually treated similarly. Frothy bloat is probably more life-threatening and time is truly of the essence. Frothy bloat usually occurs to a bunch of animals in a herd that has been grazing lush legume pasture for a few days in a row. To prevent this from happening, feed a slice of hay to all the animals a half an hour before turning out and also wait until frost is off the field. Treatment consists of carefully drenching with a quart to half gallon of vegetable or mineral oil (not crank case oil!). Add 1-2 tablespoons of peppermint oil to give it flavor so the animal does not inhale the oil when drenching. Peppermint is also a good botanical for gassy build-up in the gastro-intestinal system. Then make the animal walk about. Free gas bloat usually occurs in only one individual animal and is treated the same way. Homeopathic colocynthus given every 15 minutes can be of benefit—this can be alternated with HP carbo veg.
Diarrhea
Treatment of this condition depends on the cause. Often times a feed change will make many cows loose (especially if protein is increased), but a single cow may be more severely effected due to stage of lactation and other stresses. In any event, take any cow having diarrhea off ensiled feeds (but especially corn silage) and instead feed her like a horse – only dry hay and some sweet grain for 24-36 hours. Do not allow to graze during this time, as fresh grass loosens up cows in general. Also give HP arsenicum 3-4 times daily if diarrhea is watery, HP podophyllum if it is thick green “pea-soup” or HP merc corr if it is a bit slimy and blood-tinged. A colloidal mineral called “Ferro” is great to bind up and slow down a hyperactive gut. It is rich in iron as well and many cows are borderline anemic anyway.
Calves with diarrhea, especially if only a few days or a week old, can be treated the same way but may need IV fluids. They do not have the body reserves that adult animals have and dehydrate rapidly. Get your vet to give the fluids. Also rehydrate them orally by using a calf feeder tube if they will not suck from a bottle. Using a calf feeder tube with either homemade electrolytes or commercial ones at the first sign of scours for 2 days will often get them going again. A good formula that can be made at home consists of 8 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 2 teaspoons salt in 1 gallon fresh water. Or use a commercial calf electrolyte replacement pack. Feed no milk for 2 days.
Ketosis
This is a condition that mainly effects fresh cows that are milking very well but are not taking in enough energy for their needs. Conventional treatment involves intravenous dextrose followed by propylene glycol and B vitamins. Homeopathic lycopodium given four times daily can help as could herbal liver tincture, made of equal parts celandine, goldenseal and red root given as 5cc orally three times daily for four days. Prevention includes high levels of choline pre-freshening.
Lame cows
There are contagious forms of lameness (foot rot and digital dermatitis) and traumatic causes (puncture giving abscess or twisted in field). To prevent contagious problems, have a box filled with 4-6 inches of hydrated lime powder that cows must walk through. Hydrated lime is a disinfectant and a very good preventative of contagious hoof problems. It is not a treatment. I find that herd being fed “hot rations” (maximal amounts of highly soluble carbohydrates – grains- along with corn silage) have many hoof problems of contagious origin. This is probably due to these herds experiencing rumen acidosis and the subsequent toxins migrating through the rumen walls, getting into general circulation, and causing perfusion problems at the hairline/hoof junction. Perfusion problems at this area, as well as standing in muck, makes ripe the possibility of succumbing to contagious hoof infections. Herds that feed no or very low levels of corn silage tend to have much healthier hooves. All herds feed some grain – it is probably the combination of grain and silage together which begins the downward cycle.
Puncture wounds must be addressed individually by lifting the hoof, opening the abscess, cleansing with 3% hydrogen peroxide and wrapping with a drawing salve such as icthammol. Using HP hepar sulph or silica twice daily for 7-10 days can hasten healing.
Reproduction
For regular herd checks, try the following homeopathic remedies depending on what your vet finds on rectal palpation.
Pulsatilla for creamy pus discharges, no odor. Also no heats, poor uterine tone. Friendly, curious but shy cows. Twice daily for 5 days.
Ovarian for cycling cow that hasn’t shown visible heat. Perhaps an alternative to prostaglandins. Twice daily for 5-7 days.
Folliculinum for cow with healthy follicle or if having shown previous heats and bred but not settled. Help show heat better. Perhaps an alternative to GnRH. Twice daily for 2-3 days right before anticipated heat.
Apis for right-sided cyst or cysts on both ovaries. Twice daily for 5 days, then follow with Natrum mur, twice daily for three days.
Lachesis for left-sided cysts with cow mounting others. Twice daily for 5 days, then follow with Natrum mur, twice daily for three days.
Sepia to improve uterine tone and reproductive system in general. Also for cow at day 21 fresh. Twice daily for 3-5 days.
Spectra 305, an herbal combination to help cows show heat. Give when CL present (mid-cycle). 10 tablet every other day for 6 doses. Works really well.
By taking into account all the factors that impact an animal on a particular farm, it is possible by taking a multi-prong approach to help heal animals without constantly using hormones and antibiotics.
Here is a list of materials and products that will helpful to biologically oriented farmers (it is by no means exhaustive):
Homeopathic remedies (Washington Homeopathic Products, “WHP”)
Liver Tincture (WHP)
Calendula tincture (WHP)
Hoofgao (Vet Hon)
Masfrigao (Vet Hon)
Quartergao (Vet Hon)
Spectra 305 (Integrative Therapeutics)
Calendula-Echinacea ointment (WHP)
Arnica ointment (WHP)
Lime-sulphur dip (any small animal vet)
Icthammol (ag stores)
Iodine tincture (ag stores)
Hydrogen peroxide (ag stores)
Aspirin (ag stores)
Uddermint (ag stores)
Clean Cow (Hess Farm Supply)
Crystal Whey (Crystal Creek)
Ferro (Joe Eason)
Activated charcoal (any vet)
Hypertonic saline (as stores)
Flora-min (Agri-dynamics)
First Defense (ag stores)
Garlic bulbs (health food stores, grocery stores)
