Evaluation of Theloresectoscopy for Management of Teat Obstruction in Dairy Cows

Abstract

A total of 175 Jersey cross bred cows (180 teats) at a different stage of lactation were presented at the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Teaching veterinary clinical complex, with the history of difficulty in letting down of milk was taken for the present study. All the affected animals were subjected to ultrasound scanning using 7.5 MHz linear probes by water bath method with and without normal saline infused into the teat as contrast. After the assessment of type and site of obstructions under xylazine sedation with ring block with 2% Lignocaine hydrochloride theloresectoscopy was performed to relive the obstruction at the tip, mid and base of the teat. After the treatment with theloresectoscopy ultrasonographic images on the 5th postoperative day confirmed the reduction in the size of the lesions. Theloscopicelectroresection was a minimally invasive procedure, which can be performed by a single person and aided in restoring the esthetic appearance of the teat, anatomical and functional capacity, milk ability and quality of milk within a short period of time with minimum complications. Even though it was expensive and required expertisation, it should be considered as an alternative to conventional surgical methods in valuable dairy cows.