A retrospective study on 135 cases of teat and udder surgical conditions in 129 small ru-minants is described. On 19 repairs of teat lacerations, a primary and a secondary inten-tion healing in 13 (68%) and in 4 (21%) cases, respectively, was observed; 2 (11%) had poor response and consequent mastitis. Good outcome and first intention healing in 100% of the fistula repairs (2 cases), thelectomies (5 cases), teat neoplasm removals (14), and mas-tectomies (2 cases) were observed. Among 26 teat curettage cases, all 18 (69%) unilateral lesions treatment had a good outcome versus the 8 (31%) with bilateral lesion that suffered definitive relapse. On 67 skin udder neoplasms removal, a primary and a secondary in-tention healing in 59 (88%) and in 8 (12%) cases, respectively, was observed; however, 2 of the latter suffered mastitis. These procedures are associated with a good prognosis, and the percentage of favourable outcomes was high. Wound infections and dehiscence were the main complications observed. More interest in teat and udder surgery on small ruminants should be encouraged, and farmers should be made aware that the animal can often return into production at a reasonable cost, however, their post-operative care is the key to success.
Mignacca et al. (Fri,) studied this question.