Total mastectomy in a cow with gangrenous mastitis

A three-year-old recently calved, dual-purpose cow (Brown Swiss/zebu) presenting with signs of inappetence was examined. The udder was hot and painful. The left hide teat appeared black in colour and was cold to the touch with a bloody discharge evident on stripping the teat. The other teats had a normal appearance and a few drops of watery milk were coming. A gangrenous mastitis was diagnosed. The histopathology showed the presence of coagulative necrosis and fibrosis. Given the cow's commercial value and udder condition, a total mastectomy was performed. Induction and maintenance of anaesthesia was provided by a constant rate infusion of ketamine-xylazine and a regional block was performed. Laboratory cultures were positive for Pseudomonas. Ciprofloxacin was provided for 10 days, and topical treatment with a commercial bee honey product was applied covering all the open wounds. After 45 days, the wound granulated; the cow successfully bred and a healthy calf resulted.