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Learn about common cow diseases, their causes, symptoms, treatments, medicines, and prevention. A complete cattle health guide for farmers to protect livestock, boost milk production, and ensure disease-free farming.
Introduction
Cows are one of the most important animals in livestock farming, providing milk, meat, and income. But they are vulnerable to many diseases that can lower milk production, cause infertility, and even lead to death. Farmers must know about causes, symptoms, treatments, medicines, and preventive measures of common cow diseases.
This guide covers the major diseases in cattle and how to manage them effectively.
1. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
Cause: Viral disease (Aphthovirus). Highly contagious, spreads through saliva, milk, feed, water, and equipment.
Symptoms:
High fever (104–106°F)
Blisters on mouth, tongue, udder, and hooves
Drooling saliva
Lameness and difficulty eating
Sudden drop in milk yield
Treatment & Medicines:
No direct antiviral cure (supportive care only)
Wash mouth with Potassium Permanganate solution (1:1000)
Apply boric acid lotion/antiseptic on lesions
Flunixin, Meloxicam for fever and pain
Oxytetracycline / Amoxicillin to prevent bacterial infection
Provide soft feed & electrolyte solution
Prevention:
Annual FMD vaccination
Isolate infected cows immediately
Maintain strict hygiene on the farm
2. Mastitis
Cause: Bacterial infection (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, E. coli). Spread by unhygienic milking practices.
Symptoms:
Swollen, hot, painful udder
Clots, pus, or blood in milk
Sudden reduction in milk yield
Loss of appetite
Treatment & Medicines:
Intramammary antibiotics (Cloxacillin, Cephapirin)
Systemic antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Enrofloxacin) for severe cases
NSAIDs (Ketoprofen, Flunixin) for swelling and pain
Wash udder with Iodine or Chlorhexidine solution
Strip out infected milk frequently
Prevention:
Wash udder before & after milking
Use teat dip disinfectant
Keep cow bedding clean and dry
3. Bovine Tuberculosis (TB)
Cause: Mycobacterium bovis bacteria. Spread via contaminated air, feed, and water.
Symptoms:
Chronic dry cough
Gradual weight loss
Swollen lymph nodes
Reduced milk yield
Treatment & Medicines:
❌ No effective cure (zoonotic disease)
Infected cattle must be culled
Prevention:
Buy cattle only from TB-free herds
Regular testing in farms
4. Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD)
Cause: Viral infection (Pestivirus). Spread via saliva, nasal discharge, semen, and milk.
Symptoms:
Severe watery diarrhea
Mouth ulcers
Abortion in pregnant cows
Weak calves
Fever and appetite loss
Treatment & Medicines:
No antiviral cure (supportive treatment only)
Oral ORS & Electrolyte solution
Broad-spectrum antibiotics (Oxytetracycline, Enrofloxacin) for secondary infections
Vitamin B-complex injections for recovery
Prevention:
Vaccination against BVD
Quarantine new animals
5. Anthrax
Cause: Bacillus anthracis bacteria in contaminated soil and water.
Symptoms:
Sudden death in apparently healthy cows
High fever before death
Bloody discharge from nose, mouth, anus
Rapid bloating of carcass
Treatment & Medicines:
Report immediately to veterinary authority
Early cases: High-dose Penicillin / Oxytetracycline
Burn/bury dead animals deeply with lime (dangerous to humans)
Prevention:
Annual anthrax vaccination
Avoid grazing in contaminated pastures
6. Black Quarter (Blackleg)
Cause: Clostridium chauvoei bacteria in soil, infects through wounds.
Symptoms:
High fever
Swelling in thigh or shoulder muscles
Gas under skin (crackling sound)
Sudden death within 24–48 hours
Treatment & Medicines:
High-dose Penicillin injections if detected early
Clean wounds with antiseptic solutions
Prevention:
Vaccination at 6 months of age
Avoid grazing in muddy areas
7. Brucellosis
Cause: Brucella abortus bacteria. Spread through placenta, fetus, or milk.
Symptoms:
Abortion in late pregnancy
Retained placenta
Infertility in bulls
Weak calves
Treatment & Medicines:
❌ No cure, infected cows must be culled
Use gloves while handling aborted fetus/placenta (zoonotic risk)
Prevention:
Vaccination (S19, RB51) for heifers
Regular herd testing
8. Parasitic Diseases (Internal & External)
Cause: Worms, ticks, lice, liver flukes, flies.
Symptoms:
Weight loss, poor growth
Pale gums, anemia
Hair loss, itching (ticks/lice)
Diarrhea
Treatment & Medicines:
Albendazole, Fenbendazole, Levamisole, Ivermectin (for worms)
Acaricides (Amitraz, Cypermethrin) (for ticks/lice)
Mineral & Vitamin supplements
Prevention:
Regular deworming (every 3–6 months)
Rotational grazing
Clean cow sheds
🛡 General Preventive Measures
Annual vaccination program (FMD, Anthrax, Black Quarter, Brucellosis, BVD)
Maintain clean, dry housing
Provide balanced nutrition
Isolate sick cows immediately
Ensure regular veterinary check-ups
🧾 Cattle Vaccination Schedule (Recommended)
Disease First Dose Age Booster / Repeat Notes
Foot and Mouth (FMD) 4–6 months Every 6–12 months Essential for dairy cows
Black Quarter (BQ) 6 months Annual Before monsoon season
Anthrax 6 months Annual High-risk areas only
Brucellosis 4–8 months (heifers) Once (lifetime) Do not vaccinate pregnant cows
Bovine Viral Diarrhea 3–6 months Annual Important for breeding stock
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the most common cow disease?
👉 Mastitis is the most common in dairy cows.
Q2. Can cow diseases spread to humans?
👉 Yes, Anthrax, Brucellosis, and TB are dangerous zoonotic diseases.
Q3. How often should cows be dewormed?
👉 Every 3–6 months depending on farm conditions.
Q4. What medicines are commonly used for cows?
👉 Oxytetracycline, Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Enrofloxacin, Albendazole, Ivermectin.
Q5. How to increase cow immunity?
👉 Provide balanced feed, mineral mixture, vitamins, and timely vaccinations.
