An Observational Study Investigating Potential Risk Factors and Economic Impact for Bovine Ischaemic Teat Necrosis on Dairy Farms in Great Britain

Clinical Presentation, Bacteriologic Findings and Possible Risk Factors for Ischemic Teat Necrosis in Cattle-A Case Series

Ischemic teat necrosis (ITN) is a growing problem in the dairy industry characterized by teat lesions, necrosis, pruritus and automutilation. Despite the economic and welfare consequences, there is no treatment, and the etiology of the disease remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate ITN by analyzing its clinical presentation, potential risk factors and microbial involvement. Methods included collection of milk and swab samples from affected cows over a period of one-and-a-half years and completion of questionnaires by veterinarians and farmers. Microbial testing included PCR testing for Treponema spp. and cultural testing by anaerobic and aerobic incubation on blood agar. The results showed a high and significant prevalence of Treponema spp. and Staphylococcus aureus in affected teats compared to non-ITN-affected control teats, indicating their potential role in the development of ITN. Other factors such as edema and milking practices also appear to contribute to the tissue damage. First-lactation and early-lactation heifers are particularly at risk. In conclusion, ITN appears to have a multifactorial etiology with both infectious and non-infectious factors playing a role. Further research is needed to better understand the complex interplay of these factors and to develop effective prevention and management strategies.

An Online Pattern Recognition-Oriented Workshop to Promote Interest among Undergraduate Students in How Mathematical Principles Could Be Applied within Veterinary Science

Knowing the importance of mathematics and its relationship with veterinary medicine plays an important role for students. To promote interest in this relationship, we developed the workshop “Math in Nature” that utilizes the surrounding environment for stimulating pattern-recognition and observational skills. It consisted of four sections: A talk by a professional researcher, a question-and-answer section, a mathematical pattern identification session, and a discussion of the ideas proposed by students. The effectiveness of the program to raise interest in mathematics was evaluated using a questionnaire applied before and after the workshop. Following the course, a higher number of students agreed with the fact that biological phenomena can be explained and predicted by applying mathematics, and that it is possible to identify mathematical patterns in living beings. However, the students’ perspectives regarding the importance of mathematics in their careers, as well as their interest in deepening their mathematical knowledge, did not change. Arguably, “Math in Nature” could have exerted a positive effect on the students’ interest in mathematics. We thus recommend the application of similar workshops to improve interests and skills in relevant subjects among undergraduate students.