INVESTIGATIONS ON TEAT AMPUTATIONS IN DAI RY-COWS - INDICATIONS, SURGICAL RESULTS AND ECONOMY

Based on the experience gained after the performance of 204 teat amput ations with complete closure of the wound, medical as well as economic aspects were discussed. Various types of severe teat injuries leading to a teat amputation were listed. Surgery was successful in 94.6% of all animals subjected to the teat amputation. Approximately 50% of the animals had a reproductive life span after surgery of more than one y ear. The most common reasons for culling were inconvenience at milking and insufficient milk yield. The milk yield during a lactation period dropped by an average of 5.5%. Cost efficiency of the procedure was e valuated by partial budgeting. The result of this analysis suggested t hat in most cases, from the economic standpoint of view, there might b e an indication for teat amputation.