Haemolactia (Blood In Milk) and Its Treatment In Dairy Cows

1Dr Harshita Sood 2 2, Dr Ajay Patial and Dr Susheel Kumar

1 Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Extension Education, IVRI, Izzatnagar, Uttar Pradesh. soodharshitadr9@gmail.com 2 M.V.Sc. Livestock Production and Management, ICAR-NDRI Karnal, Haryana. ajypatial09@gmail.com 2 (M.V.Sc. Veterinary Gynaecology & Obstetrics, ICAR-NDRI Karnal, Haryana), Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Polyclinic, Chamba (H.P). kumarsusheel859@gmail.com

Introduction

Haemolactia is known as presence of blood in milk. It is also called as “Rose milk”/“ red milk”/ “Pinkish milk” depending upon the intensity of the colour. Consumers often reject this bloody milk due to its colour. Haemolactia or bloody milk is a clinical sign often observed in dairy cows. Although the condition occurs sporadically, but rarely several lactating animals may be affected at a time. As blood tinged milk cannot be sold so there are economic losses to farmers and they frequently approach the veterinarians for the treatment of the bloody milk.

Causes of haemolactia

There are several causes of haemolactia. Some of the main causes of haemolactia are: hemorrhage by diapedesis occurs quite frequently in newly freshened cows without evidence of disease and is characterized by presence of erythrocytes in the alveolibut can occur at any stage of lactation. Any other hemorrhage by diapedesis is considered pathological and occurs due to damage to the epithelial lining of the teat cistern. Extensive bleeding may occur as a result of rupture of blood vessels. B a c t e r i a ( L e p t o s p i r a s p p , Brevibacterium erythrogenes, Serratia marcescens, Micrococcus cerasinus, Micrococcus chromidrogenes rubber, Micrococcus roseus, Lacto rubefaciens gruber, Sarcina rubraetc.), some viruses and red yeast (Monascuspurpureus) may cause systemic infections associated with intravascular hemolysis and capillary damage in udder leading to reddish or pinkish discoloration of milk (Balharaet al., 2016). In leptospirosis milk from all the four quarters would be red in colour. Some other causes of haemolactia are thrombocytopenia, deficiency of vitamin C, rough milking, acute or chronic mastitis and feeding of fodders belonging to family Rubiaceae (dyer's madder, Rubia tinctorum). Certain plant toxins present in ranunculi, conifers, poplars, alders etc. may cause capillary d a m a g e l e a d i n g t o re d d i s h discoloration of milk. Some leafy plants e.g. spurge (Euphorbia), sedge and shave grass contain a red dye which may appear in milk causes reddish discoloration of milk.

Diagnosis

Haemolactia is usually diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs. When blood tinged milk left undisturbed for few hours in a container, presence of blood clots in the lower portion of container indicates haemorrhage which causes haemolactia. But in case of RBCs lysis reddish discolouration of milk will remain uniform throughout the container. During centrifugation of bloody milk RBCs will sediment at the bottom of a centrifuge tube. Benzidine test can be performed to confirm the presence of blood in milk.

Therapy

A slight admixture of blood in the milk after parturition requires no specific treatment as it naturally disappears within 10-14 days. If it is due to slight trauma it is not a matter of much concern. Supportive treatment in the form of ice packs, cold water sprays can be provided. If this reddish discoloration of the milk is due to feedstuffs, the same must be eliminated. Administration of hemostatics and parenteral coagulants alongwithintravenousadministrationof calcium borogluconate plus magnesium and phosphorus can be used. Epinephrine derivatives that hamper the flowofbloodbyvasoconstrictionandby increasingthebloodplatelets,5mlof1% solution of epinephrine canbe infused intravenously. Vitamin C preparations influence the blood clotting mechanism. Raw potatoes, having high vitamin C content, can also be given.Slow intravenous administration of formalin (10 ml of 35 % commercial solution of formaldehyde in 500 ml of boiled water) can be repeated every second day if required. Two or three infusions are usually adequate. Blood in milk due to chronic mastitis requires intramammary andsystemicinfusionofantibiotic.

Conclusion

Early intervention of veterinary care is important to regain the milk from blood tinged. Consumers often reject this bloody milk due to its colour and it contains natural antimicrobial inhibitors, it may interfere with antibiotic residue test and may result in false positive reactions.Different treatments and techniques can be used to control or prevent haemolactia in dairy cows like administration of calcium solutions, vitamin K, p h y t o t h e r a p y, c o a g u l a n t s , vasoconstrictors, vitamin C, antioxidants, and antibiotics. r