Teat injuries nearly always lead to mastitis. Damaged teats are not only more prone to infections, but the cows will be difficult to milk. Surgical repair is costly and time consuming. Teat lesions form as a result of injury and harbor pathogenic microorganisms. A product that has given good results as a teat skin conditioner is Preparation H. Mastitis results once bacteria pass through the teat duct and multiply in milk-producing tissues.
Microorganisms enter the teat duct in several ways.
Between milkings, micro-organisms may pass through the duct by multiplying inside the duct, or by physical movement resulting from pressure placed on the teat end as the cow moves about. During machine milking, microbes may be propelled into the teat cistern. The potential for invasion is greatly increased by bacteria that reside in or colonize the teat duct. The colonizing bacteria may survive for months, serving as sources of bacteria for infecting the gland. Teats that have been compromised by injury are even more subject to the challenges of infection from the environment.