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Published on: December 23, 2018
Long-term mechanical milking status of lacerated teat repaired surgically in cattle: 67 cases (2003-2013)
Sylvain Nichols1, Marie Babkine1, Gilles Fecteau1
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2 (Nichols, Babkine, Fecteau, Francoz, Desrochers); Clinique Vétérinaire de Lachute, 895, Béthany Road, Lachute, Quebec J0V 1X0 (Mulon); Clinique Vétérinaire St-Tite, 711, Sainte-Geneviève Street, St-Tite, Quebec G0X 3H0 (Doré).
Abstract:
This study evaluated the long-term prognosis of return to normal mechanical milking after reconstructive teat surgery and determined the factors that have an impact on the outcome. A retrospective study of 67 dairy cows with teat lacerations was performed. Milking status at discharge and at long-term follow-up was adequate for 83% and 75% of the cows, respectively. No statistically significant differences were detected between the long-term prognosis and the age of the cow, the stage of lactation at presentation, or the configuration of the laceration. Lacerations repaired more than 24 hours after the trauma were more frequently associated with a negative outcome (P = 0.05). Mastitis was the most frequent complication (n = 17) and had a statistically significant negative impact on long-term prognosis (P = 0.02). Reconstructive surgery of lacerated teat in dairy cows can help establish return to normal mechanical milking.
