Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a viral infection that affects cloven-hoofed animals like cows, goats, and buffaloes. In dairy cows, it leads to painful blisters on the mouth, teats, and feet, often resulting in reduced milk yield and lameness.
Symptoms to Watch For
The symptoms of Foot and Mouth Disease in dairy cows usually include:
- High fever (often sudden)
- Blisters or ulcers on the tongue, lips, hooves, and teats
- Excessive drooling and foamy saliva
- Reduced appetite and milk production
- Reluctance to walk or stand
- In some calves, sudden death may occur
Causes and Spread
FMD spreads mainly through:
- Direct contact with infected animals
- Contaminated water, feed, or tools
- Airborne particles in specific weather conditions
- Human carriers (via clothing, shoes, equipment)
Prevention Tips
To protect your cows from FMD:
- Vaccinate your herd regularly as per veterinary schedule
- Isolate new animals before mixing them with the herd
- Clean and disinfect housing and feeding areas
- Limit visitor entry to your farm
- Ensure regular hoof cleaning and checkups
Supportive Care
There’s no direct cure, but supportive treatment includes:
Foot and Mouth Disease in dairy cows can spread quickly and damage both animal health and dairy business. Timely action and routine prevention can save your farm from major loss. Consult a vet at the first sign of symptoms.
