Common Diseases in Cow and Buffalo
Healthy animals are the backbone of a profitable dairy farm. Cows and buffaloes are highly productive when managed well, but they are also prone to several infectious, metabolic, and reproductive diseases. If not identified early, these diseases can lead to heavy milk loss, treatment costs, infertility and even animal death.
At TabelaWala, we believe that knowledge is the first step toward prevention. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the 10 most common diseases affecting cows and buffaloes, helping dairy farmers take timely action and protect their livestock.
1. Mastitis
Often called the “thief of the dairy industry,” Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary gland (udder).
- Causes: Primarily bacterial infections (Streptococcus, Staphylococcus) entering through the teat canal, often due to poor milking hygiene or muddy bedding.
- Symptoms: Swelling, heat and pain in the udder; clots or flakes in the milk; watery or discolored milk; and in chronic cases, hardening of the udder quarters.
Prevention: Maintain strict milking hygiene (teat dipping before and after milking), keep the animal’s environment dry and clean and ensure complete milking.
2. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that can devastate a farm’s productivity overnight.
- Causes: An Aphthovirus. It spreads rapidly through contact, contaminated water and air.
- Symptoms: High fever, excessive salivation (drooling) and the appearance of vesicles (blisters) on the tongue, lips and the interdigital space of the hooves. Animals often become lame.
- Prevention: Regular vaccination (bi-annually) is the only effective shield. Restrict the movement of infected animals and disinfect farm equipment regularly.
3. Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS)
Commonly known as “Gal-Ghotu,” this is an acute, fatal bacterial disease, usually peaking during the monsoon season.
- Causes: The bacterium Pasteurella multocida. Stress, such as sudden weather changes or transport, often triggers an outbreak.
- Symptoms: Sudden high fever, swelling in the throat region making it difficult to breathe (producing a grunting sound) and rapid pulse. Death usually occurs within 24 hours.
- Prevention: Pre-monsoon vaccination is critical. Keep animals in well-ventilated sheds and reduce environmental stress.
4. Black Quarter (BQ)
BQ is a soil-borne bacterial infection that typically affects young, healthy cattle between 6 months and 2 years of age.
- Causes: Clostridium chauvoei. The spores can live in the soil for years and enter the body through contaminated feed or wounds.
- Symptoms: Sudden lameness, hot and painful swelling on the hindquarters or shoulders. If you press the swelling, you may hear a “crackling” sound due to gas under the skin.
- Prevention: Annual vaccination before the rainy season and proper disposal of carcasses (burning or deep burial) to prevent soil contamination.
5. Milk Fever (Hypocalcemia)
Unlike the others, this is a metabolic disease rather than an infection, usually occurring shortly after calving.
- Causes: A sudden drop in blood calcium levels as the animal starts producing large amounts of colostrum and milk.
- Symptoms: Initial restlessness followed by an inability to stand. The animal often sits with its head tucked into its flank (the “S-curve” posture) and its body temperature feels cold to the touch.
- Prevention: Avoid excessive calcium in the diet during the dry period; instead, provide a balanced mineral mixture and ensure proper Vitamin D intake.
6. Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)
LSD has recently emerged as a major threat, characterized by visible nodules all over the animal’s body.
- Causes: A Capripoxvirus spread by blood-feeding insects like mosquitoes, flies and ticks.
- Symptoms: Fever, discharge from eyes and nose and the appearance of firm, circular nodules (2–5 cm) on the skin. This leads to permanent skin damage and reduced milk yield.
- Prevention: Vector control (eliminating flies/mosquitoes) and mass vaccination with the Goat Pox vaccine or specific LSD vaccines.
7. Brucellosis
Brucellosis is a major concern not just for animal health, but because it is zoonotic, meaning it can spread to humans through raw milk.
- Causes: The bacterium Brucella abortus.
- Symptoms: The most prominent sign is abortion during the last trimester of pregnancy, retained placenta and infertility.
- Prevention: Calf-hood vaccination (usually between 4–8 months of age). Always pasteurize milk and use gloves when handling afterbirth.
8. Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB)
A chronic infectious disease that progresses slowly, often going unnoticed for months.
- Causes: Mycobacterium bovis. It spreads through inhalation or ingestion of contaminated feed/water.
- Symptoms: Progressive weight loss (emaciation), a persistent dry cough and enlarged lymph nodes.
Prevention: Regular testing and culling of infected animals. Maintain good ventilation and avoid overcrowding in sheds.
9. Johne’s Disease (Paratuberculosis)
This is a chronic wasting disease that affects the intestines of the animal.
- Causes: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis.
- Symptoms: Persistent diarrhea that does not respond to treatment, despite the animal having a good appetite. The animal gradually becomes “skin and bones.”
- Prevention: Since there is no effective cure, prevention focuses on hygiene—particularly ensuring calves are not exposed to the manure of adult cows.
10. Prolapse in Animals
Prolapse is the protrusion of the uterus or vagina through the vulva, often seen around the time of calving.
- Causes: Genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies (Calcium/Magnesium), or excessive straining during a difficult birth.
- Symptoms: A large red mass of tissue hanging from the rear of the animal. This is a medical emergency.
- Prevention: Ensure a balanced diet rich in minerals during pregnancy. Avoid keeping pregnant animals on slopes where their hindquarters are lower than their front.
General Best Practices for Livestock Biosecurity
To keep your farm free from these dairy animal diseases, follow these universal rules:
- Quarantine: Keep new animals separate for at least 21 days before introducing them to the herd.
- Vaccination Calendar: Maintain a strict schedule for FMD, HS and BQ.
- Clean Water: Ensure 24/7 access to clean, pathogen-free drinking water.
- Regular De-worming: Internal parasites weaken the immune system, making animals more susceptible to the diseases listed above.
Disease prevention is far more economical than treatment. Early identification, timely vaccination, proper nutrition, clean housing and regular veterinary consultation can significantly reduce disease occurrence in cows and buffaloes.
At TabelaWala, we empower dairy farmers with integrated dairy solutions, expert guidance, and practical knowledge to build healthy herds and profitable farms. A healthy animal not only produces more milk but also ensures long-term sustainability for your dairy business.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Build a healthier dairy future with TabelaWala.
Important Note: This guide is for informational purposes. If you notice any signs of illness in your livestock, consult a qualified veterinarian immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
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