Invasive Teat Surgery in Dairy Cattle: II - Long-term Follow-up and complications

A prospective study was performed on 52 teats that were operated upon at the Ontario Veterinary College over a three year period for various problems. Long-term postsurgical follow-ups were obtained to assess milking ability. Sixty-three percent of all the cows that had surgery were classified by the Canadian Holstein Association as "good" or better. The implantation of a prosthesis was required in 32 teats and was found to be associated with: a higher prevalence of chronic mastitis, a lower long-term milking success rate, and an increased prevalence of abnormal milking times. Of the five types of teat lesions encountered, Type I (<30% of teat cistern involved) and Type V (lacerations, webbed teats, fistulae) had the best short and long-term prognosis for lactation. Overall, 60% of the operated teats were milking one month after surgery, and 41% at the end of the lactation.