Clinical trial of a new permanent milk flow teat bougie during cases of external and internal teat injuries

Abstract

Teat injuries are common in dairy cattle, around 2 to 3% are affected and compared to other frequently occurring diseases, these injuries often result in premature culling of affected cows. Teat injuries can be divided into 2 categories: external or internal injuries. These injuries often result in premature culling of affected cows. Surgery and treatment of these injuries has been described and discussed intensively. However the question whether complete rest (no milking) or temporary resting of the injured teat by temporary cessation of milking or continuous milking is not yet clearly answered, and may vary from case to case. This paper describes a new technique that allows a permanent milk flow alongside an undisturbed healing process of external and internal teat injuries. A special silicon catheter ("teatflow”) is introduced into the teat canal to allow continuous milk flow at a minimum risk level for udder infections.