B-mode ultrasonography in cows during lactation to evaluate the teat anatomy using four different techniques

Abstract

This study was propose to compare four different techniques of B-mode ultrasonography to evaluate the teats anatomy of dairy cows. Twenty healthy lactating cows were examined by brightness mode (B-mode) ultrasonography. A 7,5 MHz linear trasducer were used in the examinations. The cranial and caudal papilas were scanned by right side in a transversal and sagital planes. The cows were divided in four groups of 5 cows, each (G1= direct contact; G2= direct contact with standoff; G3= water bath; G4= liquid pressure) evaluated before and after milking. The results showed that liquid pressure technique seems to be effective for identifying polipos and calculus lactius. Both techniques direct contact and direct with standoff seems to be more usefull in the clinical case. Although the water bath had shown to be ideal transmition to identify the teat anatomy. Those topografic-anatomic findings could contribuite to identify and approach a teat lesion in a surgical procedure in particular for telotomy.