Ultrasonographic appearance of edema caused by injections in the mammary gland attachments of dairy cows

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ultrasonographic appearance and detectability of edema induced by SC injection of mild silver protein suspension in the mammary gland attachments of dairy cows. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 6 lactating cows. PROCEDURE: In each cow, the number of quarters that received injections was randomly assigned. A mild silver protein susoension was injected SC into cranial and caudal mammary gland attachment sites. The number of injections and volume injected were determined on the basis of the appearance of the mammary gland and the desired subjective visual effect. Seventeen sites were chosen for injection and 7 sites did not receive injections. Ultrasonographic images were obtained 1 day prior and 6 days after injections were started. Cows received injections 1, 3, and 5 days after initial sonography. The sonographer was unaware of which sites received injections. RESULTS: Ultrasonography revealed alternating hypoechoic and hyperechoic bands at injection sites. Certain injections caused the intimal surface of the subcutaneous abdominal vein to develop a corrugated appearance. All injection sites were correctly identified ultrasonographically (100% sensitivity, 100% specificity) with a positive and negative predictive value of 1.0. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that mild silver protein suspension injected SC to enhance the appearance of the mammary glands of dairy cows can be readily detected by ultrasonography. Detection of injection sites should be made on the basis of the distribution and ultrasonographic appearance of edema.