Case report
An Investigation of Dairy Cow Teat Lesions and Clinical Mastitis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol37no1p30-34Keywords:
bovine mastitis, case reports, clinical aspects, cows, dairy cows, hyperkeratosis, lesions, mammary gland diseases, mastitis, reviews, teats, warts, cattleAbstract
A California dairyman milking 1,969 cows reported excessive cases of clinical mastitis, and questioned whether teat-end lesions were associated with the problem. Using a system of teat-end lesion classification, the entire milking herd was observed for lesions during January 2002. Overall, 9.9% of the herd had some type of lesion, including warts and severe hyperkeratosis; 67% of lesions were severe teat-end hyperkeratosis. Cows with teat lesions were three times more at risk of clinical mastitis compared to cows without teat lesions. Because of physical limitations of the milking equipment and the owner’s reluctance to modify the milking routine, no management changes were made.