The effect of surgery of the teats on the health of the udder
Tschappat, R.; Baumgartner, H.; Weisen, J.P.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 118(11): 515-523
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 1034344 Document Number: 98653
The effect of surgical operations on udder health was studied over a period of 4-5 months in 30 cows with 101 difficult-to-milk teats, as well as in 59 cows with 64 traumatized teats. It was found that no visible traces of the operation remained if it had been correctly performed. Milkability was improved in most cases, but susceptibility to mastitis was greatly increased after an operation: only 30% of the cows which had undergone operations for poor milkability and 16% of those with traumatized teats yielded pathogen-free milk with normal cell counts (<300 000/ml) from all quarters 4-5 months after the operation. It is concluded that teat operations should only be performed in urgent cases, and suggestions are put forward for improving operating technique and post-operative treatment. Particular emphasis is placed on prophylactic measures (selection for breeding purposes based on milkability tests; and prevention of teat injuries by correct housing design and correct milking).