Bottle Teat

[Circle L]

My first good cow developed a condition the vet called "Bottle Teat" when her teats became swollen and painful and she wouldn't nurse the calf...even tried to kill it. (Vet said she was trying to do away with it because she knew she couldn't care for it.) He said this happens after a cow has nursed one calf and the teats lose their elasticity.
Has anyone ever had this to happen. I had to sell her and her calf because she wouldn't let her nurse. I had her daughter and she got it so I sold her and her calf because I was afraid later on down the road i would end up with few calves from here like here mother. This happen on her second calf. Thanks

Is this in the genes? The vet was unsure.

 

[msscamp]

I have never heard of a condition called 'bottle teat' in cows. All cows teats are swollen and painful when they calve because they are engorged with milk - it rarely prevents a mother from allowing her calf to nurse. I believe I would be finding a new vet. Just my thoughts.

 

[shutskytj]

Yes I have had this happen once I did get the cow to let her calf nurse finally with some good beatings every time she would kick the calf but she would never would lick it or pay attention to it I did calve that calf out and she did take care of her own calf so I don't think it is hereditary either but I did ship that cow once the calf was weaned

 

[TheBullLady]

Are you saying the teats are too large for the calf to nurse on? When they lose elasticity, they will get large and distended, and subsequently a new calf will have trouble nursing the cow. If the cow isn't nursed right away after calving, the udder will get sore from the pressure. I'm not sure if this is what the vet is talking about.. I've never heard of a "condition" like that.

Any cow with bad teats should be culled.

 

[Anonymous]

Bottle teats or tits as we always called them are fairly common, usually on older cows but it is hereditary from what I have seen, and it means you have to start hand milking so the calf can get their mouth around them. This has been discussed in some fashion a number of times on this board. Your Vet was correct and I'm not sure why a previous poster would suggest otherwise to a condition they had never heard of.

 

[msscamp]

Your Vet was correct and I'm not sure why a previous poster would suggest otherwise to a condition they had never heard of.

Would it not be part of the the job of a vet to understand what is hereditary and what is not and be able to give a definitive answer towards that end? An 'I'm not sure' answer does much to undermine my faith, trust, and confidence in someone who has not only accepted so much responsibility, but charges me for his so-called expertise as well. Perhaps it's a simple matter of my standards - both for myself and those who work for me - are higher than yours? Again, just my thoughts, apparently you missed that the first time.

 

[buckaroo_bif]

:nod:

 

[backhoeboogie]

A good VET is worth every nickel. There are too many out there who specialize in euthanization or seek the results thereof.

 

[Beefy]

i dont know about bottle teats but it sounds like balloon teats to me.

 

[BC]

Balloon teat/bottle teat is same thing. It usually happens on heavier milking females. Use to get cow and calf up and milk out the quarters and help calf nurse. If I find one now, I check to see if the calf can nurse either of the back two teats and leave the big ones alone. If you don't break the seal on the end of the teat, you on't have to keep ,milking that teat out until the calf is big enought to take it own it's on.

 

[Anonymous]

msscamp, I wasn't interested in a urinating contest with you, however, I didn't miss anything in the initial post, nor do I have the luxury of hiring others to do the work. The initial post stated the vet wasn't sure if this case were hereditary (there can be other causes). You were the first to offer an opinion on a condition you had never even heard of, which I find incredible from anyone who has ben around cattle for any length of time (40 years in my case). Your rude response was exceeded only by your ignorance.

 

[Farmhand]

fritz - You owe msscamp an apology. Didn't see anything rude about her response. I have been around cattle a long time (38 years) and have never heard of bottle teat either. Heard of the condition and have personally dealt with the condition - just never heard it called that before. Also, the original post did not specify if they wanted to know if the condition was hereditary or if that specific case was hereditary. I took it as wanting to know if the condition was - not that actual case. As to getting a different vet - I agree with msscamp. I don't pay big dollars to hear "I don't know" from them. I might as well keep my money and guess for myself then. I expect a vet to be able to give me some insight. msscamp has a wealth of knowledge that I'd be willing to put to use anyday. In a urinating contest with you - I'd put my money on msscamp. Have a good day.[/i]