A study of chronic teat fibrosis in bovines treated with homeopathy

Teat fibrosis is a major problem of dairy animals where a hard fibrous cord-like structure in the teat is observed, which ultimately causes a hindrance during milking. Fibrosed mastitic cattle do not usually respond to conventional antibiotic therapy and the affected teat is ultimately rendered non functional, resulting in a considerable economic loss to cattle owners.

The present study was conducted under field conditions on 108 bovines, out of which 38 cows and 70 buffaloes of variable age and lactation, which were suffering from varying degrees of teat fibrosis, either diffuse or as fibrotic nodules of varying size near the base of teat cistern or tip of the teat or as hard fibrous cord-like structure palpated in the teat cistern, were selected. Animals were randomly allotted to three groups, A (n = 14 cow, 28 buff.), B (n = 14 cow, 28 buff.), and C (n = 10 cow, 14 buff.).

A recovery rate of 64.28% in cows and 67.85% in buffaloes in the A group and 85.71% in cows and 89.28% in buffaloes in the B group was achieved following oral administration of homeopathic remedies: Phellandrium 30C and carbo animalis 30C for a period of 21 and 42 days in group A and group B, respectively.

In light of these reports and present observations it can be inferred that phellandrium and carbo animalis can be effectively used in the treatment of teat fibrosis in mastitis of bovines. Although the course of treatment is protracted, yet it is safe and cost effective.