Outcome prediction from the first examination in clinical mastitis using ultrasonography in dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to examine whether ultrasonography can be used to predict the outcome of clinical mastitis in dairy cows. Forty-seven mastitic quarters of Holstein-Friesian cows were examined using ultrasonography at the time of the first examination. In mastitic mammary tissue, three sonographic signs indicating tissue abnormality were found: a hyperechoic spot in the parenchyma area, structural changes to the milk duct, and non-homogeneous parenchyma. Logistic regression was used to evaluate whether the abnormal findings in the sonographic images can be used to predict the outcome of clinical mastitis. The outcomes of clinical mastitis were defined by the return, or failure to return, to marketable milk production. The sonogram finding of non-homogeneous parenchyma in the first examination did predict the outcome of clinical mastitis, whereas the type of systemic symptoms (severe or moderate) was not a predictor in this regression model. Therefore, ultrasound examinations of mammary glands in the first examination could be a useful method for predicting outcome of clinical mastitis. There is an economic benefit if ultrasound examination in first examination helps in the decision of whether or not to treat the mastitic cows.

Blood perfusion of teat tissue in dairy cows: Changes associated with pre-milking stimulation and machine milking.

Mechanical forces during machine milking of dairy cows evoke circulatory impairment of the teat tissue that may affect the teats' defense mechanisms against mastitis pathogens. Ample research describes dimensional changes of different teat traits after machine milking, whereas reports that describe changes in blood circulation of dairy cows' teats are limited. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) describe changes in teat blood circulation that occur after pre-milking teat stimulation and machine milking and (2) study the effect of 2 different milking liners on machine milking-induced changes in teat blood flow. In a randomized trial, Holstein dairy cows were stratified by parity, stage of lactation, and average daily milk yield during the previous week, and allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups. Treatment consisted of 1 milking observation with either a round or multisided concave milking liner. Teat scans were taken of the left front and the right hind teats using power Doppler ultrasonography. Imaging occurred before pre-milking udder preparation (T1), after completion of pre-milking udder preparation but before milking-unit attachment (T2), and immediately after unit detachment (T3). Perfusion intensity measurements from teat scans were performed with a commercially available software program. Data from 109 cows were analyzed. A general linear mixed model showed differences in perfusion intensity between time points. Least squares means (95% confidence intervals) for T1, T2, and T3, respectively, were 0.035% (0.026-0.047), 0.124% (0.093-0.164), and 0.095% (0.073-0.124). Conversely, no statistically significant differences between treatment groups were observed. We conclude that teat blood circulation is subjected to several influences, including inherent circulatory regulation mechanisms, as well as extrinsic factors such as machine milking. Future research is warranted to decipher the magnitude of their influence and to further our understanding of how these changes relate to the susceptibility to intramammary infection and milking performance.

The relationship between mastitis and the B-mode, colour Doppler ultrasonography measurements of supramammary lymph nodes in cows.

This research communication aims to test the hypothesis that B-Mode, colour Doppler ultrasonographic measurements and characteristics can identify mastitis in dairy cows. A total of 102 lactating cows were divided into 3 groups: cows in which all mammary quarters were CMT-negative, cows with CMT-positive mammary quarters and cows with clinical mastitis in at least one quarter. Colour Doppler ultrasonography measurements of the supramammary lymph nodes revealed that distortion-type vascular morphology, the rate of type 4 vascular densities and the incidence of mixed-type vascular distributions were highest in the clinical mastitis group, whereas the frequency of avascularity in supramammary lymph nodes was highest in the CMT-negative group. All differences were significant. In conclusion, the use of B-mode and colour Doppler ultrasonographic measurements of the supramammary lymph nodes can provide useful information about the current condition of mastitis in cows, although its diagnostic potential remains to be determined.

[Minimal-invasive tissue sampling at the bovine udder]. / Minimalinvasive Gewebeentnahme am bovinen Euter.

OBJECTIVE: In some cases, classical diagnostic procedures of bovine mastitis, including adspectation, palpation, and examination of milk samples, are of limited reliability, such that histological examination of udder tissue would be a useful addition. The study aimed to identify localizations for tissue sampling and to validate the biopsy technique. ANIMALS AND METHODS: In the present study, sonographic examinations on bovine udders (n = 16) were performed, to identify ideal localizations for tissue sampling, which were tested in slaughterhouse organs (n = 10) and verified in udders of lactating cows (n = 16). RESULTS: Ideal localizations for tissue sampling, avoiding puncturing of blood vessels, were sonographically identified in the area of the udder cistern. Tissue sampling in lactating cows proved to be free of complications in 73 % of cases and all tissue specimens obtained were suitable for histology. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tissue sampling by biopsy for microbiological and histopathological examinations supplements common procedures in the diagnostics of mastitis in the dairy cow and, if performed in the area of the udder cistern, can be conducted without sonographical control under field conditions.

Milk-flow, ultrasonographic, theloscopic, and histopathological characteristics of the teat in cows with toxic mastitis.

The milk-flow, imaging, and histopathological characteristics of the teat in five cows with toxic mastitis were investigated. Teats were grouped into type I (without gross and histopathological abnormality), type II (no abnormal gross findings, but with histopathological abnormality), and type III (with gross and histopathological abnormality). Normal teats from six cows served as controls. Type II and III teats had lower milk-flow, compared with the controls. Ultrasonography revealed no abnormal findings, except for irregular mucosal surface in type II teats and absence of hyperechoic line along the teat canal in type III teats. The theloscopic findings varied from normal to mucosal abnormalities in type II and III teats. Histopathology demonstrated epithelial changes, congestion, hemorrhage, edema, cellular infiltration, and elastic fiber degradation in type II and III teats, with the type III teats showing severe changes. Toxic mastitis was characterized by impaired milk-flow and various degrees of imaging and histopathological abnormality.

Ultrasonography of the bovine udder and teat.

Ultrasonography is a noninvasive technique for examining the bovine udder and teats. It is performed in the standing animal using a high frequency scanner (7.5-10.0 MHz) for examination of the teat structures (teat canal, rosette of Fuerstenberg, teat cistern, gland cistern) and a 5.0 MHz probe for examining the glandular parenchyma. Ultrasonography is a helpful tool to diagnose pathologic alterations of the udder such as inflammation, mucosal lesions, tissue proliferation, foreign bodies, milk stones, congenital changes, hematoma, and abscess. However, ultrasonography of the teat allows for the localization and demarcation of the extent of pathologic changes and therefore is an important additional diagnostic examination technique.

Diagnostic ultrasonography in cattle with diseases of the mammary gland.

Fifty-two cattle with diseases of the udder were evaluated by means of sonography between 2000 and 2004. The udders were examined with 3.5 and 5.0 MHz convex transducers and 7.5 and 13.0 MHz linear transducers. Bacteriological examinations were also performed on individual quarter samples. Ultrasonography gave additional information on the status of the udder and showed findings specific for some causal agents, e.g., Enterobacteriaceae and Arcanobacterium pyogenes as well as udder haematomas. All forms of mastitis required bacteriological confirmation for the final diagnosis.

Ultrasonographic measurement of the bovine teat: breed differences, and the significance of the measurements for udder health.

The objective was to measure teat canal length and diameter, teat diameter and teat wall thickness by ultrasonographic scanning in order to determine the differences in bovine breeds, and to study the influence of teat canal length and diameter on the occurrence of mastitis. A total of 269 lactating dairy cows of four different breeds (Brown Swiss, Simmental, Simmental crossbred with Red Pied, and Holstein-Friesians) from seven Upper Austrian dairy farms were examined. Average teat canal length of Brown Swiss animals was shortest (15.7 mm) followed by Holstein-Friesians (17.2 mm) and Simmental (18.3 mm). These differences in teat canal length were highly significant (P < or = 0.001). There was no significant difference in teat canal length between pure-bred and crossbred Simmentals. Differences of teat canal diameter between breeds were significant (P < or = 0.05). Brown Swiss animals had the largest diameters (2.0 mm) and Holstein-Friesians the smallest (1.7 mm). Differences in teat diameter between Brown Swiss, Holstein-Friesian and Simmental were also significant. No differences were found between the pure-bred and crossbred Simmental cows. The narrowest teats were in Holstein-Friesians and the widest in Simmental. Holstein-Friesians also exhibited the thinnest teat walls while the Simmental had the thickest ones. Teat canal length and diameter were correlated with udder health. Teat canals of healthy udders tended to be longer (17.4 mm) and narrower (1.8 mm) than teat canals of infected udders (15.8 mm, 2.1 mm; P < or = 0.001). A logistic regression model showed significant effects of teat canal length, teat canal diameter and lactation number on udder health.

[Teat endoscopy as a diagnostic procedure in the goat]. / Die Zitzenendoskopie als diagnostisches Hilfsmittel bei der Ziege.

Teat endoscopy as a diagnostic procedure in the goat is described in a clinical case of a proliferation in the wall of the teat cisterna. Modifications in proceeding and equipment compared to the common use of endoscopy in the teat of cattle are shown and the additional amount of information in comparison to palpation, sounding and sonography is evaluated.

Radiographic method for anatomic study of the teat canal: characteristics related to resistance to new intramammary infection during lactation and the early dry period.

An in vivo radiographic method to determine teat canal anatomy has shown that resistant quarters had teat canals with a smaller diameter than that of susceptible quarters. The length of the teat canal did not appear to be related to resistance to new intramammary infections. These findings relate to new infection caused by Aerobacter aerogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Quarters guarded by teat canals with larger diameter were less resistent to new infection during both lactation and the early dry period compared with quarters guarded by teat canals with small diameter.