A rare recovered case of Schistosomus reflex in a female calf
1.Dr.Gautam Malakar 2.Dr.Neethu B 3.Dr.Arjun ch.Ray 1.MVSc scholar,Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University 2.MVSc scholar, Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University 3.Veterinarian at National Small Holder Poultry Development Trust
ABSTRACT
Schistosomus reflex is a rare case of foetal anomaly characterized by exposure of abdominal viscera as well as ventral curvature of spine and ankylosis of the limbs.Normal parturition is not always possible due to ankylosis of limbs in foetal calf and this may cause dystocia in the dam.This is a unique case of atypical Schistosomus reflex in a 3 year old pluriparous, Lakhimibreed of cow.Ankylosis of limbs was not so prominent in this case so that normal parturition was possible.After surgical intervention as well as therapeutic management of the calf,it got recovered uneventfully.
Keywords :Schistosomusreflex,Ankylosis, Ventral curvature of spinal cord
INTRODUCTION
Schsitosomus reflex is a congenital foetal anomaly which is characterized by exposure of the abdominal viscera and sometimes thoracic viscera also along with ventral curvature of vertebral column due to inversion of spinal cord and ankylosis of limbs.In most of the cases ,this anomaly causes dystocia in the dam and calf is found to be dead.But this is a rare case of atypical schistosomusreflex whereankylosis of limbs were not so prominent and thus dam had eutocia.Proper timely surgical intervention along with therapeutic management of the calf resulted in uneventful recovery
CASE HISTORY AND OBSERVATION
A 4 year old pluriparous, Lakhimibreed of cow weighing nearly 200 kg along with its one day old female calf was brought to clinic with the anamnesis of eutocia at yesterday evening and the calf was found to be with exposed abdominal viscera and mild ankylosis of hind limbs.General clinical examination of the dam was found to be normal.Detailed physical examination of calf revealed exposure of abdominal viscera ( Intestines ) and mild ankylosis of hind limbs. Other clinical parameters were normal and haematological parameters was found to be normal
SURGICAL INTERVENTION & THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT
The calf was restrained on ventral recumbency and the abdominal viscera was covered with a moist sterile towel and cleaned properly with antiseptic solution. Local anaesthesia was given through linear infiltration using 2% Lignocaine hydrochloride at the dose rate of 4.5 mg per kg body weight.Intestinal contents were properly replaced and it was sutured using chromic catgut 1 ,with mattress suture pattern, fascia & muscles were sutured with no 2 chromic catgut in continuous suture pattern and finally skin was closed using black braided silk 1 in horizontal mattress pattern. Topicure ointment was applied topically.Post operative therapeutic management was done with cephalosporin third generation antibiotic Ceftrioxone sodium at the dose rate of 25 mg per kg body weight and NSAID meloxicam for relieving pain at the dose rate of 0.5mg per kg body weight for subsequent 3 days.5% Povidone iodine was applied topically ,thrice a day until suture removal. Suture site was regularly checked and Suture was removed after 15 days.
CALF SHOWING EXPOSURE OF ABDOMINAL VISCERA CALF AFTER SUCCESSFUL SURGICAL INTERVENTION
POST OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT UNEVENTFUL RECOVERY AFTER 30 DAYS
CASE DISCUSSION
Schistosomus reflex is a rare congenital anomaly seen in bovines and sometimes in goats .This monstrosity is characterized by the presence of exposure of abdominal and sometimes thoracic viscera due to incomplete fusion of ventral wall of abdomen along with ankylosis of limbs and inversion of spinal cord with dorsiflexion or retroflexion of vertebral column.The exact reason for this anomaly is not known but it may be due to genetic factors, environmental factors ,mutations ,chromosomal abnormalities ,environmental factors or due to combination of these factors (Noakes et al ,2002).In most of these cases the animal was found to be dead due to these combination of monstrosities and eutocia is not possible due to these malformations.Either caesarean section or foetotomy has to be performed for delivering the foetus.
CONCLUSION
This is a unique case of recovered calf with atypical Schistosomus reflex.Proper diagnosis along with timely surgical intervention and proper therapeutic managementof the calf resulted in uneventful recovery and helped the owner economically as well as mentally.
REFERENCES
1.Roberts,SJ(1986).Veterinary Obstetrics and Genital Diseases,3rd Edition
2.Noakes DE,ParkinsonTJ,England GCW and Arthur,G.H(2002) Arthur’s Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics,8thed,ElsevierSci Ltd.p.129-212
