3. Lactational Physiology

Late pregnancy/birth

When does lactation normally occur?

4 months

How long does lactation normally last in beef cattle?

4 to 6 weeks

How long does lactation normally last in dogs and cats?

6 to 8 months

How long does lactation normally last in horses?

When pressure builds in the milk gland

What causes an animal to dry up?

Oxytocin

When a calf suckles on the udder, it causes the posterior pituitary to release what hormone?

Oxytocin

Which hormone is responsible for ""milk let down"?

T (only helps with the release of milk from milk glands)

T or F: Oxytocin does NOT increase milk production

4

How many teats do cows have?

4

How many teats do camels have?

2

How many canals are there per teat in a camel?

1

How many canals/cisterns are there per teat in a cow?

2

How many teats do ewes have?

2

How many teats do goats have?

2

How many teats do mares have?

1

How canals/cisterns are there per teat in ewes and goats?

2 to 3

How many ducts are there per teat in mares?

8

How many teats do the bitch and queen have?

5 to 6

How many ducts are there per teat in the bitch and queen?

Cows have a large cistern with one large orifice

Why can cows have direct infusion of their teats for mastitis but dogs/cats cannot?

1. Mastitis

2. Galactostasis

3. Agalactia

4. Inappropriate lactation

What are the 4 main challenges with lactation?

Milk cultures

How do you diagnose mastitis?

Intramammary infusion

How do you treat mastitis in cattle and most large animals?

Systemic antibiotics and NSAIDs

How do you treat mastitis in dogs/cats?

Galactostasis

Mammary gland is engorged/firm with milk; excessive accumulation of milk within the gland

1. Weaning

2. Stillbirth/death of neonate

3. Litter-bearing species with very small litters

Galactostasis occurs when?

1. Exercise

2. Benign neglect

3. Warm compress (dogs/cats)

4. Cold-hosing (mares)

5. NSAIDs if warranted

What is the treatment for galactostasis? (5)

Agalactia

Partial or complete absence of milk flow

Cull

What should you do for cattle/small ruminants with agalactia?

Domperidone

How can you treat agalactia in mares?

1. Decrease stress

2. Increased feed and water intake

3. Encourage interaction with neonate(s)

4. Administer oxytocin, warm compress, +/- physically empty gland

What are general considerations for agalactia in all species? (4)

Inappropriate lactation

Lactation at the wrong time, without stimulus

Galactorrhea

Excessive or spontaneous milk flow