What is hyperkeratosis and why is it in my herd?
What is hyperkeratosis and why is it in my herd?
First, let us define keratin - it is a wax-like substance that helps to close the teat-end after milking. This prevents environmental bacteria from entering the teat canal, in-between times of milking. ‘Teat Orifice Hyperkeratosis’, commonly known as ‘rough teat ends’, is caused by having excess keratin at the end of the teat canal. This creates a callous like surface, susceptible to bacteria. Bacteria growth can lead to mastitis and overall poor milk quality in your herd. While hyperkeratosis is something that is easy to treat if noticed in the first stages, but prevention is far more effective.
Leading causes for hyperkeratosis are as follows:
A poor milking system
Incomplete prep procedures in the parlor/overmilking
Genetics
Weather
Routine service on your milking system is a simple way to maintain proper vacuum levels. Incomplete milk let down can lead to hyperkeratosis. Not allowing enough time for proper stimulation results in slow milk let down, requiring a need for increased vacuum levels. This is relatively the same rule with overmilking - once the milk let down slows, the vacuum will increase, pulling keratin to the surface.
Genetics are also another factor in hyperkeratosis. Teat shape and size is a trait you can consider in breeding decisions. The same amount of vacuum is applied to all teats, so having less versus more surface area is another way to avoid rough teat ends in your herd.
Protecting your herd from harsh weather conditions, whether it’s cold and windy or hot and dry, can affect your teat health. Be sure to use the correct dips for your herd and adjust them accordingly to the weather conditions year-round.
While it benefits many aspects of your operation, having clean, dry bedding protects your cows with hyperkeratosis from environmental bacteria, resulting in mastitis.
Teat Orifice Hyperkeratosis can be scored 1-4 in your herd:
Score 1- Having a smooth and even orifice.
Score 2- Looks like a small ring at the end of the teat opening, seen later in lactation or after improper milking for a brief period of time.
Score 3- Rough and will have a 1–3-millimeter ring of excess keratin.
Score 4- Very rough, will look flowered and open-like.
Observe teat health, short and long term, noting symptoms like swelling, hardness, and/or discoloration. While prevention is the best solution - exfoliation, moisturization, and correct teat dips are successful treatments for hyperkeratosis.
Please comment or contact a Milk Barn team member, if you have any questions about hyperkeratosis or other subjects you would like to discuss.