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Health Care – 

Cows 

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a) Health Care : 

• Health Management is the most crucial aspect in dairy 

management. A good dairy manager observes his stock 

closely for health condition twice in a day (morning and 

evening). 

• Animals which are ailing have to be immediately 

identified, isolated and treated as per the advice of 

veterinarian. 

b) Signs of Healthy Animals: 

• Animal will consume normal quantity of feed and fodder 

and ruminate. 

• Eyes will be bright, muzzle-wet, coat-shiny and smooth. 

• Milk production will be normal. 

• Dung will be semi solid in consistency without abnormal 

odors. 

• Urine output will be normal with pale yellow colour. 

• Have normal body temperature, pulse and respirations. 

Normal values of the same are as follows. 


Temperature 

Pulse 

Respiration 

( Beats per Minute ) ( Breaths per minute ) 

100- 101.6 0 F 60- 70 16- 30 

c) Signs of Sickness: 

• Low feed intake with stop rumination. 

• Increase in body temperature, pulse and respiration 

rates. 

• Muzzle becomes dry, animal looks dull with rough 

coat and dry skin. 

• Eyes become Red and watering. 

• There will be change in quantity, consistency and 

odor of dung. 

• Decrease in milk production. 

• Urine output may decrease. 

d) Vaccination and De-worming: 

There are few bacterial, viral and protozoan diseases 

which seriously affect the dairy animals resulting in 

huge economic loss. Vaccines are now available for all 

commonly occurring diseases in India. Prevention is 

always better than cure. Hence strictly follow the 

vaccination schedule. 


e) Commonly Practiced Vaccination Schedule 

S.No Name of Age of first Dose & 

Booster schedule 

diseases vaccine Route 

1 FMD 2 months 2-3 ML I/M At 9 months interval subsequently* 

2. H.S. 6 months 2-3 ML S/C Repeat every year* 

3. B.Q 6 months 2-3 ML S/C Repeat every year* 

4. Anthrax 6 months 5 ML S/C Repeat after I year 

(in endemic areas only) 

5. Brucellosis 3-5 months 5 ML S/C Repeat after I year 

(in endemic areas only) 

6. Theileriosis 4 month 5 ML S/C Repeat after I year 

*Many MNCs are producing combined vaccines for 

FMD+HS+BQ or FMD+HS which will simplify 

vaccination programme and reduce handling stress. 

f) Care to be taken in vaccination program: 

• Use vaccines of reputed manufacturers or 

government supply 

• Strictly follow manufacturer’s instructions 

• Obtain from only reputed stockist having proper 

cold storage facility. 

• Ascertain maintenance of proper cold chain. 


• Take the help of experienced veterinarian or paraveterinarian. 

• Follow the prescribed procedure while 

reconstituting the vaccine. 

• Strictly follow dosage and route of administration 

• Strictly follow time schedules for primary 

vaccines and boosters. 

• Use new needle for every animal 

G) Managing Pregnant Cows: 

Generally farmers look after lactating animals and tend to 

ignore pregnant animals. For getting maximum milk 

production pregnant Cows should be given special care 

before and after calving. 

Gestation Time 

The gestation period is for 9 months and the animal 

delivers the calf ten days before or after. As calving is a 

natural process, the animal seldom has difficulty. 

Nevertheless, the following practices are advisable for 

those farmers rearing cows. 


A pregnant cow should have at least 60 days of dry period 

before next calving. Also there should be proper drying off 

to avoid udder trouble in subsequent lactation. 

After complete drying off, carry out dry cow therapy and 

proper feeding. The animals should be fed easily digestible 

feed in the last two weeks of pregnancy especially green 

fodder and brans etc. 

Provide 1 to 2 kg of concentrates, scientifically balanced 

and fortified with area specific mineral mixture. Housing 

should be in clean, comfortable shed with optimum space. 

Avoid undue stress to the animals and allow reasonable 

space for movement each day and provide open space. No 

vaccination during advanced stage of pregnancy should be 

administered. 

Take Expert Help 

Do not interfere with normal parturition unless some 

problem arises. In case of difficulty during calving call a 

veterinary doctor. Feed the cow warm porridge or bran 

mash just before and after calving. 


Wipe the udder dry before allowing suckling. Wash the 

hind quarters and udder with warm water to which a 

little potassium permanganate is added. 

If after birth placenta is not expelled within 5-6 hours, 

contact a veterinarian for help. Do not pull it out or tie 

weights to it. 

Readymade medications recommended by the doctor can 

be used. 


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