Milk flow obstruction caused by varicose veins in the teats in dairy cattle

22 cases

Abstract

A varicose vein is the permanent dilatation of a vein; it can have a primary (valvular insufficiency) or secondary cause (venous hypertension). In dairy cows, the udder is filled with long and sinuous veins that have a great risk of becoming varicose. Furthermore, dilated and prominent mammary blood vessels are a genetic attribute researched among breeders. However, when an enlarged vein is located at the annular ring or within the teat wall, it may partially or totally obstruct normal milk flow. The objectives of this study were to describe this condition in dairy cattle and the surgical procedures used to restore milk flow, and to determine the prognosis for affected cows following surgery. Our hypothesis was that prognosis depends on the surgical procedure performed.