MANAGEMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE 



85 



o 



V 



Lead teat plug. 



65. Hard-milking Cows. Some cows cause considerable 

 annoyance because they milk unusually hard. This condi- 

 tion, which is caused by a strong muscle (sphincter muscle) 

 th; t closes the opening of the teat, can be remedied by 

 proper treatment. Instruments 

 an made by means of which it is 

 possible to overcome the difficulty 

 wi'h no danger to the animal. 

 In most cases the use of teat 

 plugs alone is sufficient. These 

 plugs, which are made of rubber 

 or lead, are placed in the teat 

 duct and allowed to remain there 

 until the next milking. This is 

 continued until the muscle is some- 

 what relaxed and the opening 

 remains larger. In severe cases a 

 cutting instrument known as the 

 teat slitter (bistoury) is used. 

 This operation should be per- 

 formed by a veterinarian or one 

 having experience in the use of 

 such instruments. In using teat 



plugs, milk tubes, Or any instru- FIG. 28. Instruments used in 

 T . -, . i ii treating hard-milking cows. 



ments which are inserted in the 



duct of the udder, great care must be taken to sterilize the 

 instruments thoroughly before using them, for if germs gain 

 access they may cause serious trouble. A two per cent 

 solution of carbolic acid or a weak solution of creolin is 

 suitable for disinfecting instruments. It can also be done 

 by boiling them in water just before using. The teats should 

 be thoroughly cleaned before inserting any instrument. 



Teat slitter 

 or bistoury. 



Teat expander. 



