[A randomized field study of therapy of non-perforating injury of the udder]

Treatment of a lesion of the teats not associated with perforation of the teat canal or teat cistern is discussed in the present paper. Treatment of the lesion of the teats using a Bykanula is compared with temporary drying off of the involved quarter. In eleven out of the twenty cases reported, the process of healing was complicated by mastitis in the involved quarter. When the outlet of the teat was involved in the lesion, this complication was likely to be 5.4 times larger than it was when the teat opening was not involved. In the 'temporary drying-off group', the complicating mastitis was a reason for culling the animal within six months after treatment had been initiated in five out of nine cases. On the other hand treatment of the complicating mastitis in the 'Bykanula-group' was successful in every case. Problems in carrying out this clinical trial are also discussed.