What are the prevention and treatment methods for bovine damp-toxin syndrome?

Bovine damp-toxin syndrome, also known as eczema, is caused by cattle living in a damp environment for a long time. It can occur in all four seasons, and the incidence rate increases somewhat in summer when the weather is hot.

(1) Symptoms.

At the beginning of the disease, the symptoms are redness of the skin under the jaw, on the abdomen and on both sides of the perineum of the cattle, with hard small nodules the size of broad beans appearing, making the cattle restless and itchy; later papules and vesicles appear, and after the vesicles rupture, symptoms such as yellow exudate, scabs and scales appear. Over time, the cattle become emaciated and weak, and eventually die.

(2) Prevention.

The most effective measure to prevent bovine damp-toxin syndrome is to change manure accumulation inside the pen to manure accumulation outside the pen, frequently clean the shed, remove manure and residue from the shed thoroughly, and keep the cattle shed clean and dry. In seasons with heavy rain, special attention should be paid to preventing water leakage inside the pen. In winter, the shed should be kept warm to prevent accidental skin abrasions on the cattle.

(3) Treatment. To treat bovine damp-toxin disease, the main approach should be to remove toxins and dampness.

For cattle with acute damp-toxin syndrome, calcium chloride or calcium gluconate solution 150-200 milliliters can be injected intravenously, together with oral administration of vitamin A solution 2 million units, vitamin C tablets and vitamin B tablets 10-20 grams each, and if necessary, epinephrine 5-10 milliliters can be injected. If the affected area shows flushing and papules, 10 grams of ichthammol, 10 grams of salicylic acid and 300 grams of zinc oxide ointment can be mixed evenly and applied to the affected area once daily. If there is a large amount of exudate in the affected area, 3%-5% gentian violet alcohol solution can be applied, or an equal-part mixture of boric acid and tannic acid can be sprinkled on; or Qingdai powder (10 grams of indigo naturalis, 20 grams of gypsum, 20 grams of talc, 10 grams of Phellodendron amurense bark, ground into fine powder and mixed evenly) can be dusted dry onto the affected area.

For chronic damp-toxin syndrome, 45 grams of raw Astragalus membranaceus, 35 grams of Codonopsis pilosula, 36 grams of red peony root, 30 grams of peach kernel, 36 grams of Angelica sinensis and 30 grams of safflower can be decocted in clean water and administered to the cattle by drenching. For external treatment, the affected area should first be washed clean with soapy water, then 10% sulfur-coal tar ointment should be applied (its formula is: 10 grams of sulfur, 10 grams of coal tar, 1 gram of camphor, 1 gram of carbolic acid, 78 grams of petrolatum). If the affected area has purulent infection, it can first be cleaned with 0.1% potassium permanganate solution or 0.5% furacilin solution, then iodine tincture can be applied or anti-inflammatory powder sprinkled on. If there are scabs and accumulated scales in the affected area, it can first be rinsed clean with 3% hydrogen peroxide, then ichthammol ointment applied.