Irregular Findings on Teatcups in Milking Parlours in Sheep and Goat Farms and Potential Predictors
The objectives of the present study were as follows: (a) to describe the prevalence of irregular findings on teatcups in milking parlours with dairy sheep and goats after the post-milking cleaning procedures had been completed, (b) to associate staphylococcal isolation from teatcups with the presenc...
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/19/3004 |
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| author | Charalambia K. Michael Daphne T. Lianou Vasia S. Mavrogianni Efthymia Petinaki George C. Fthenakis |
| author_facet | Charalambia K. Michael Daphne T. Lianou Vasia S. Mavrogianni Efthymia Petinaki George C. Fthenakis |
| author_sort | Charalambia K. Michael |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The objectives of the present study were as follows: (a) to describe the prevalence of irregular findings on teatcups in milking parlours with dairy sheep and goats after the post-milking cleaning procedures had been completed, (b) to associate staphylococcal isolation from teatcups with the presence with irregular findings and (c) to identify predictors of the presence of irregular findings on teatcups. The teatcups in the milking parlour of 255 sheep and 66 goat farms were macroscopically evaluated for the presence of irregular findings immediately after the completion of cleaning of the parlour. In total, 1115 and 303 teatcups, respectively, were assessed. A detailed interview with the farmer served to record the characteristics of the milking parlour and obtain information about husbandry and health management variables in the farm. Teatcups with macroscopically evident irregular findings were observed in 150 milking parlours (46.7%). Overall, 593 teatcups (41.8%) were found with macroscopically evident irregular findings. Dirt, milk residues and cracks or tears were recorded in the teatcups of 90.0%, 36.0% and 12.7% of parlours with irregular findings. Staphylococci were more frequently isolated from teatcups with irregular findings than from undamaged ones: from 37.4% (222/593) versus 12.8% (106/825). They were more frequently isolated from teatcups with milk residues (39.4%) and teatcups with dirt (39.0%). Via multivariable analysis, the following three variables emerged as significant predictors of presence of teatcups with irregular findings: the daily number of milking sessions, month into the lactation period at sampling and number of available milking units per animal position. The study provides, for the first time internationally, an appraisal of the frequency of problematic teatcups in the milking parlours of small ruminant farms. The analysis of predictors has provided a focus for specific management aspects, where interventions need to be performed, in order to improve the situation in farms with problems. The consequent increased staphylococcal burden on teatcups with irregular findings points to the increased risk of intramammary infections in such cases. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:50:55Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:50:55Z |
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| spelling | doaj.art-c7024662ea014e71bd3a97d3ddb2499e2023-11-19T13:58:54ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-09-011319300410.3390/ani13193004Irregular Findings on Teatcups in Milking Parlours in Sheep and Goat Farms and Potential PredictorsCharalambia K. Michael0Daphne T. Lianou1Vasia S. Mavrogianni2Efthymia Petinaki3George C. Fthenakis4Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, GreeceVeterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, GreeceVeterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, GreeceUniversity Hospital of Larissa, 41110 Larissa, GreeceVeterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, GreeceThe objectives of the present study were as follows: (a) to describe the prevalence of irregular findings on teatcups in milking parlours with dairy sheep and goats after the post-milking cleaning procedures had been completed, (b) to associate staphylococcal isolation from teatcups with the presence with irregular findings and (c) to identify predictors of the presence of irregular findings on teatcups. The teatcups in the milking parlour of 255 sheep and 66 goat farms were macroscopically evaluated for the presence of irregular findings immediately after the completion of cleaning of the parlour. In total, 1115 and 303 teatcups, respectively, were assessed. A detailed interview with the farmer served to record the characteristics of the milking parlour and obtain information about husbandry and health management variables in the farm. Teatcups with macroscopically evident irregular findings were observed in 150 milking parlours (46.7%). Overall, 593 teatcups (41.8%) were found with macroscopically evident irregular findings. Dirt, milk residues and cracks or tears were recorded in the teatcups of 90.0%, 36.0% and 12.7% of parlours with irregular findings. Staphylococci were more frequently isolated from teatcups with irregular findings than from undamaged ones: from 37.4% (222/593) versus 12.8% (106/825). They were more frequently isolated from teatcups with milk residues (39.4%) and teatcups with dirt (39.0%). Via multivariable analysis, the following three variables emerged as significant predictors of presence of teatcups with irregular findings: the daily number of milking sessions, month into the lactation period at sampling and number of available milking units per animal position. The study provides, for the first time internationally, an appraisal of the frequency of problematic teatcups in the milking parlours of small ruminant farms. The analysis of predictors has provided a focus for specific management aspects, where interventions need to be performed, in order to improve the situation in farms with problems. The consequent increased staphylococcal burden on teatcups with irregular findings points to the increased risk of intramammary infections in such cases.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/19/3004cleaninggoatmastitismilkmilking parloursheep |
| spellingShingle | Charalambia K. Michael Daphne T. Lianou Vasia S. Mavrogianni Efthymia Petinaki George C. Fthenakis Irregular Findings on Teatcups in Milking Parlours in Sheep and Goat Farms and Potential Predictors Animals cleaning goat mastitis milk milking parlour sheep |
| title | Irregular Findings on Teatcups in Milking Parlours in Sheep and Goat Farms and Potential Predictors |
| title_full | Irregular Findings on Teatcups in Milking Parlours in Sheep and Goat Farms and Potential Predictors |
| title_fullStr | Irregular Findings on Teatcups in Milking Parlours in Sheep and Goat Farms and Potential Predictors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Irregular Findings on Teatcups in Milking Parlours in Sheep and Goat Farms and Potential Predictors |
| title_short | Irregular Findings on Teatcups in Milking Parlours in Sheep and Goat Farms and Potential Predictors |
| title_sort | irregular findings on teatcups in milking parlours in sheep and goat farms and potential predictors |
| topic | cleaning goat mastitis milk milking parlour sheep |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/19/3004 |
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