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385. It is not uncommon to find one or two supernumerary teats on the udder. These small teats are commonly imperforate and are not harmful but on occasion they leak during milking and they can also become infected from time-to-time. If supernumerary teats are to be removed, the operation should be carried out at an early age. If removal takes place after three months of age, the law states that it must be carried out by a veterinary surgeon; if removal takes place before three months then the operation can be carried out by a non-veterinarian. The legislation should perhaps be brought into line with that on castration and disbudding.
386. Non-veterinarians should be suitably trained and competent before removing supernumerary teats and should use an effective local anaesthesia.
387. Having suitably disinfected the supernumerary teat, it should be removed with clean, sharp scissors and any haemorrhage arrested.