Teats in the milking cow are often overused and prone to trauma and injury that reduces their ability to function efficiently. Physical damage to the teat can be due to direct trauma, calves suckling or as a result of internal abnormalities. Management usually involves teat surgery, which can be challenging and time-consuming but ultimately rewarding. There is significant scope for repair and this can help to maintain animals in long-term full milk production. This article describes the most common type of teat injuries seen and discusses how they can be treated surgically in the field. When carrying out any procedure, the safety of the operator, assistants and the animal is vital. Cows should therefore be restrained physically using a crush (Fig 1)or Wopa box (Fig 2). When using any method of restraint, it is important to be familiar with the equipment and keep hands and arms away from areas where they may become trapped or crushed. Working in the parlour can be a practical solution but requiresthe use of a kick bar (Fig 3).
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