Investigations of milk quality from teats with milk flow disorders

The objective of this study was to investigate the quality of milk from teats with milk flow disorders. Somatic cell count, pathogens, and signs of mastitis (>100,000 cells/ml and pathogens detected) were determined in the milk from all teats of the udder before treatment of the affected teat, as well as 1 and 6 mo later. Teats with milk flow disorders were compared to all of the other teats from the same udder. Before treatment, the SCC from affected teats was 4.3 million higher, the odds of detecting pathogens 6 times higher, and the odds of mastitis 11 times higher than in control teats (when adjusted for other significant explanatory variables). SCC and the risk of mastitis decreased after surgical treatment of the affected teats, whereas the chance of detecting pathogens was not affected. Six months after treatment, the SCC was 1.3 million higher, and the odds of mastitis 6.5 times higher than in control teats. Throughout the study period neither SCC, the odds of detecting pathogens, nor mastitis changed significantly in control teats. It may be concluded from this study that milk quality from teats with milk flow disorders is decreased before treatment and does not reach the milk quality from unaffected teats within 6 mo after treatment.