Milk flow and udder health in cows after treatment of covered teat injuries via theloresectoscopy: 52 cases (2000-2002).
OBJECTIVE
To determine milk flow, somatic cell counts (SCCs), and the incidence of clinical mastitis in cows that had undergone theloresectoscopy for treatment of teat stenosis caused by mucosal detachment in the region of the streak canal or Fürstenberg's rosette.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
52 cows with teat stenosis that were treated via theloresectoscopy.


METHODS
Medical records of eligible cows were reviewed. Additional data regarding milking ease, SCC, development of clinical mastitis of the affected gland, and whether the cow remained in the herd were collected via owner-completed questionnaires.


RESULTS
49 of 52 questionnaires were completed. At referral, teat sinusitis was diagnosed in 29 of 52 cows. Milk flow was normal in 38 of 41 treated teats at discharge and in 24 of 40 during the next lactation. Thirteen of 49 cows were culled during the next lactation because of abnormal udder health. High SCC and teat sinusitis at referral and development of clinical mastitis during the 10-day period after surgery resulted in high SCCs in the remainder of the current lactation. The incidence of clinical mastitis during the remainder of the current and during the next lactation was higher in cows that had teat sinusitis at the time of surgery, compared with those that did not.


CONCLUSIONS
Teat stenoses resulting from mucosal lesions in the region of the streak canal or Fürstenberg's rosette may be successfully treated via theloresectoscopy. Inflammation of the teat sinus and gland at the time of surgery may adversely affect udder health.
Bleul
Ulrich T
UT
Department of Food Animals, Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Schwantag
Silvia C
SC
Bachofner
Christine
C
Hässig
Michael R
MR
Kähn
Wolfgang K
WK
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002452:Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D003612:Dairying; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008892:Milk / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome