Evaluation of Teat Laceration Repair Techniques and Outcomes in Dairy Cattle in Kwara State

Teat lacerations in dairy cattle are painful injuries that compromise milk production, udder health, and long-term dairy farm profitability. Prompt and appropriate surgical repair is essential to prevent mastitis, permanent teat stenosis, and loss of the affected quarter. This study evaluates the outcomes of different teat laceration repair techniques applied to dairy cattle in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, from March 2022 to March 2024. Fifty-seven dairy cattle with confirmed teat lacerations were enrolled at government and private veterinary facilities across Ilorin and its environs. Lacerations were classified by depth, location on the teat, and involvement of the teat canal or cistern. Repair techniques including single-layer closure, two-layer suturing with teat cannula placement, and Penrose drain-assisted repair were evaluated based on healing quality, milk flow restoration, and mastitis incidence. Two-layer suturing combined with teat cannula placement yielded the highest healing rate at 84%, compared to single-layer closure at 67%. Mastitis developed as a postoperative complication in 22% of repaired teats. Lacerations involving the teat cistern had a significantly poorer prognosis. The timing of repair within six hours of injury was associated with superior outcomes. These findings provide practical evidence-based guidance for field veterinary surgeons managing teat lacerations in dairy cattle populations in North Central Nigeria and support the adoption of structured surgical protocols for teat injury repair. Keywords: teat laceration, dairy cattle surgery, teat repair, Kwara State, mastitis.