Ultrasonography of the udder and teat in cattle: perspective measuring technique

Abstract

The usage of modern, accurate and relatively quick methods for udder examination like ultrasonography are necessary for regard udder illnesses and health problems, due to their negative impact on the milk production and economics of herds. The aim of this review is to call attention to the possibility of the use of ultrasonography as a useful tool for the evaluation of morphological characteristics of the udder and teats in dairy cattle, to summarize the data related to ultrasound examination in cows, to show usable scanning methods and the interpretation of the ultrasonographic image for better understanding of this method. Ultrasonography is a noninvasive technique that can be used for examining the bovine udder and teats. It can be used as a helpful tool to diagnose pathological alterations in the udder such as inflammation, mucosal lesions, tissue proliferation, foreign bodies, milk stones, congenital changes, hematoma and abscess. Udder and teat scanning can be also performed for diagnosis of milk flow disturbances and different inner anatomical structures of the teat like teat canal length and diameter, teat cistern diameter, and teat wall thickness. The ultrasound examination of the udder parenchyma is mainly performed using the direct contact method with lower frequency linear probes (3.5 – 5 MHz). Examination of the teat is most commonly conducted by the water bath technique with a help of a higher frequency linear probes (at least 7.5 MHz) for better image quality.