title: Milk flow obstruction caused by varicose vein of the teat in dairy cattle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe varicose vein as a cause of obstruction of the teat cistern in dairy cattle and to report therapeutic options and outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dairy cows (n = 22).
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (1998-2011) of dairy cows admitted for milking difficulties caused by a teat varicose vein were reviewed. Three treatment approaches were used: sclerotherapy, ligation of the vein associated with sclerotherapy, and phlebectomy. Long-term outcome was obtained ≥ 6 months after treatment and defined as a milking improvement. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the population at risk and a chi square test was used to evaluate the relationship between treatments and outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four teats (22 cows) had a varicose vein. Forequarters were more frequently affected than rear quarters (P < .01). Three sclerotherapies, 12 ligations associated with sclerotherapy and 6 phlebectomies were performed. Five veins were not treated. Overall prognosis with treatment was good (84%) at ≥ 6 months and was not significantly different between treatment types (P = .38). Recurrence of the obstruction by the varicose vein occurred in 3 of 19 teats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several surgical options are available for treatment of teat varicose veins. The overall prognosis of return to normal milking is good.
authors.affiliation: Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Department of Clinical Science, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Canada.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lardé
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desrochers
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Babkine
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Francoz
authors.forename: Pierre-Yves
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Mulon
authors.forename: Yvon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Couture
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003612:Dairying; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008026:Ligation; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015911:Sclerotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*