60. Surgery of the bovine mammary gland in cattle

Question 1

Clinical examination in case of mammary gland infection?

Answer 1

Clinical examination in case of mammary gland infection

• Visual examination (type and location of the problem)
• Complete palpation of the gland and the teat, extraction of a few milk from each teat
• Insertion of a surgical rod in the teat
• Milk bacterial culture and sensitivity
• If necessary medical imaging
• Pathologic conditions of the teat diagnosed by US
• Alterations

o Fibrosis or papillary canal lesions

o Fibrosis or trauma to or near Furstenberg rosette

o Lesions or fibrosis at the gland’s sinus

o Venous dilation (varicose vein) in the teat of origin of the vascular ring

Question 2

Preparations to surgical intervention?

Answer 2

Preparations to surgical intervention

• Restraint of the animal
• Medical immobilisation: xylazine hydrochloride 0.1mg/kg IV, 0.2 mg/kg IM butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg) IM
• Legs and head secure
• LA 2% lidocaine ring block 22G 1”

o Venous plexus!!!

o Lidocaine into the teat cistern

Question 3

Management of teat lacerations?

Answer 3

Management of teat lacerations

• Treatment

o NSAID

o IM AB (penicillin)

o All wounds are evaluated as

contaminated

o Cold hydrotherapy

Question 4

Different types of lacerations?

Answer 4

Question 5

Surgical material and wound closure?

Answer 5

Surgical material and wound closure

• Synthetic absorbable suture material (mucosa, submucosa) USP 3-0/4-0
• Skin 2/0
• 3 layers of wound closure

Question 6

Postoperative care?

Answer 6

Postoperative care

• Systemic AB min 3 days
• NSAID 48-72 h
• Wound bandage
• Hand milking prohibited for 10 days
• No first strip milking
• Avoid over milking
• Post milking teat dip
• Nonabsorbable suture removal 10 days

Question 7

Surgical incision of intracisternal masses?

Answer 7

Surgical incision of intracisternal masses

• Milk stone – lactolith – intracisternal polyp
• Hugs extractor – hugs teat tumour extractor
• Cornell teat curette

Question 8

Stenosis of the streak canal or the rosette?

Answer 8

Stenosis of the streak canal or the rosette

• Theloscopy is an option
• Eisenhut stenosis knife, cutter
• Postop – silicone teat insert 9 days
• Bandage
• AB
• Monitoring

Question 9

Supernumerary teats in calves?

Answer 9

Supernumerary teats in calves

• Congenital disorder
• Occurrence 10-30%
• Surgical correction required, difficulties can be encountered at milking
• Aesthetic reasons for surgical corrections
• The ideal time surgical ablation is between 4 -6 months of age
• LA
• Sharp scissor, with the section oriented in the cranial caudal axis