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The lowdown on extra teats in cattle
Did you know that cows can have extra teats? Many people believe that cows only have four teats; however, approximately 50% of cows have one or more extra teats.
Most accessory teats have a slightly different structure compared to regular teats. They are usually smaller and located at the back of the udder.
An udder is divided into four sections called quarters. The inside of each quarter is filled with tiny sacs known as alveoli, which are responsible for milk production. Alveoli release milk into the gland cistern, a “storage tank” in the udder. The process when milk is released from alveoli is commonly referred to as milk letdown, which can take 10 to 20 seconds to occur. After milk has been released it travels through the nipple to the outside world.
In theory, an extra teat could be a great way for farmers to increase production; however, this is not the case. Extra teats have little impact on milk production. Most extra teats have no alveoli to produce milk, or they are not connected to a quarter. Occasionally, dummy teats do produce a small amount of milk, but it is not enough to significantly increase production.
A fifth teat can be looked at in a similar fashion to a third nipple in humans. To some farmers, it is just a blemish and is of no concern, but others will have them removed. Harry Koeckhoven, a Stony Plain dairyman stated “It’s ok to have a fifth tit in the parlor, but not in the show ring.” Harry has similar ideas to beef producers. When asked about extra teats, Ken Rutledge, a rancher from Hardisty commented, “The fifth tit serves no purpose in the beef herd. The calf is unable to suck it because it is too small and it produces little or no milk. In a purebred herd extra tits can be snipped off with a sharp knife when the calf is a day old. When the heifer freshens she will have a nicer well balanced udder.”
Removing an extra teat eliminates one possible site of infection, since any unused cavity is ideal for bacterial growth. Also, if extra teats get large enough they can interfere with the milking machines so removal is sometimes necessary. Fifth teats are often removed on show cows since they are considered unwanted blemishes in the show ring, which could cost you the red ribbon. The removal of an extra teat does not affect milk production or the cow’s growth and development. Removal is more for convenience or aesthetics.
The removal of extra teats should be done when a calf is less then three months old. The teat being removed is cleaned, and then cut off with clean sharp scissors followed by the application of disinfectant to reduce the chance of infection. By properly removing an extra teat pain is minimal and healing is fast.
Fifth teats or extra nipples are not only seen in cattle, but in many other animals. All mammals can have extra nipples. Unfortunately they can be seen in both males and females.