Effect of Essential Oil-based Teat Spray for Improvement of Teat Health in Dairy Cows

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of essential oil–based teat spray formulations in improving teat skin and teat end condition in dairy cows affected with subclinical mastitis. The experiment was conducted for 90 days at Gorakshan Sabha, Dhantoli, Nagpur. A total of 71 mid-lactating cows were screened using the Modified California Mastitis Test (MCMT), and 24 cows positive for subclinical mastitis were selected. These animals were randomly assigned to three groups (T1, T2, and T3; n = 8 each). Group T1 received a 2% essential oil–based teat dip, T2 received a 2% essential oil–based teat spray, and T3 received a 1% essential oil–based teat spray post-milking. The formulation comprised eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, and tea tree essential oils. The results revealed that the teat skin score (TSS) and teat end score (TES) improved in all groups over the 90-day period, with no significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments. By day 90, TSS values improved to 1.125 ± 0.125 (T1), 1.125 ± 0.18 (T2), and 1.250 ± 0.16 (T3). TES values improved to 1.375 ± 0.18 (T1), 1.125 ± 0.125 (T2), and 1.5 ± 0.1 (T3), with the best improvement observed in T2.