To cattle breeding was profitable, the owner should pay attention to the slightest changes in the behavior of the animals. They can inform a person about problems or the onset of serious illnesses. When understanding why a cow begins to grind her teeth, it is necessary to exclude diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, muscular dystrophy and some other factors.
Why does a cow grind her teeth?
There are several reasons why an animal begins to grind its teeth. When using low-quality feed with sand, soil, or debris, a characteristic grinding noise occurs. A lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet forces cows to chew bedding and chew pieces of plaster in the barn. When feeding is normalized, teeth grinding disappears. However, if everything is normal with the nutrition and maintenance of the animals, and the cow continues to grind her teeth, this may be a signal of the development of serious diseases.
If there is no chewing gum
Chewing cud for a cow is an essential part of the digestive process. The animal swallows unchewed food, then returns it from the stomach in portions, moistens it abundantly with saliva and swallows it again, replacing it with another portion. Loss of cud means a slowdown or complete stop of the digestion process; if it is not established as soon as possible, the cow will die. The reasons for the loss of chewing gum may be different, the situation arises in the following cases:
- foreign objects entering the gastrointestinal tract (nail, wire, glass);
- feeding with low-quality food;
- development of diseases (rumen parakeratosis, gastroenteritis, pale muscle disease);
- complications after calving.
Calves fed on milk cannot chew the cud; the process begins when the calf is transferred to adult food.
Scar parakeratosis
The disease is characterized by an increase and thickening of the papillae of the rumen, which changes its microflora. Parakeratosis occurs in animals that receive finely ground food without sufficient roughage. It is observed in fattening animals and calves. In cows, the appetite and motor function of the rumen decrease, teeth grinding occurs, diarrhea mixed with blood, and the cud is lost. Against the background of these signs, in the absence of treatment, dehydration, ulceration and necrosis of the scar develops.
If the animal’s condition cannot be normalized within 1.5-2 weeks, it is discarded.
Gastroenteritis
A dangerous gastrointestinal disease in cows and calves, which is characterized by:
- diarrhea, bloating, painful colic;
- temperature increase;
- lethargy, lack of appetite, the animal lies a lot;
- grinding of teeth;
- increased breathing, manifestations of cardiovascular failure.
The disease affects calves and adult livestock when housing conditions are violated, low-quality feed and dirty water are used, and unfavorable epidemiological conditions in the area.
White muscle disease
Develops in calves during the first days of life. After calving, metabolic processes in the baby’s body are disrupted. Vitamins and minerals are no longer absorbed, and muscle atrophy is observed. Symptoms of the disease are:
- sluggish apathetic state;
- shortness of breath, increased heart rate;
- strong stench of stool;
- the appearance of seizures;
- grinding of teeth;
- temperature increase.
The calf is lying down, unable to stand on its legs, and the animal is characterized by heavy, labored breathing and grinding of its teeth. The cause of the development of white muscle disease is the increased content of sulfur in the animal’s body.
How to diagnose
Chewing gum appears within an hour after eating. If the process of regurgitation of food is disrupted, the animal experiences pain, this can be understood by the following signs:
- the cow spreads her front legs wide apart;
- stretches the neck strongly;
- arches his back, moans pitifully and grinds his teeth.
If teeth grinding is caused by soil or sand getting into the food, there is no loss of appetite or digestive disturbances. It is necessary to observe the animal, inspect and shake the food, and clean the feeders. Soon the teeth grinding disappears.
What do we have to do
If an animal begins to grind its teeth, loses its appetite and becomes lethargic, it should be isolated from the rest of the population.Careful monitoring of the condition, examination of feces and calling a veterinarian is the first thing a responsible owner should do. The cow is given plenty of clean water and is not given feed for 24 hours.
When rumen parakeratosis is diagnosed, roughage is introduced into the diet and the animal’s nutrition is normalized. Vitamin A and brewer's yeast are prescribed (500 grams per liter of water), high acidity is reduced by drinking a mixture of baking soda and burnt magnesia (prepare a 4% solution) and give 2-4 liters daily. Sick cows are injected with fluid from the rumen of healthy animals. For gastroenteritis, after receiving test results and a daily fasting diet (with plenty of clean water), the stomach is washed by giving the animal a baking soda solution.
Important: the cow should not be given any food for 24 hours.
Afterwards, the doctor prescribes the use of antibiotics and a vitamin complex (A, B, E, C). To eliminate spasms, “No-shpu” is used. After normalization of the condition, they give rice or oatmeal decoction and drink chamomile decoction. White muscle disease is treated comprehensively, using sodium selenite, a complex of vitamins (E, B), methionine, and drugs to maintain cardiac function.
Prevention of the problem
Diseases can be avoided by providing animals with a balanced diet and maintaining the maintenance regime. Adding vitamins and mineral supplements to your diet reduces the likelihood of the problem.
Feeders and drinkers should be thoroughly washed using a hot 2% baking soda solution. Shake off the food, excluding sand, soil, glass or wire. Give animals only clean water and do not use rotten, dirty or frozen vegetables for feeding.Clean the barn thoroughly (1-2 times a day).
IN pregnant cow diet Only high-quality food is introduced, they are given vitamins and minerals (salt, fish oil, bone meal, brewer's yeast), strictly on the recommendation of a veterinarian. Losing your gum is a sign of serious problems. Timely measures can help the animal and preserve its health and productivity.
