Therapeutic management of Navel ill in new born calf
1Sajida Bano*, 2Onkar Nath Bhaskar
1Assistant Professor, Department of Livestock Farm Complex (Veterinary Medicine), BHU, Barkachha, Mirzapur, U.P.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Livestock Products Technology, Apollo College of Veterinary Medicine, Jaipur.
Corresponding author: sajidawbuafs@gmail.com
Introduction:
Navel ill is a condition of young calves, usually less than one week of age characterized by inflammation, as a result of infection, in the umbilicus and its associated structures. It occurs commonly in neonatal farm animals and appears to be particularly common in calves delivered in dirty environments. It occurs as a result of infection entering via the umbilical cord at, or soon after birth of young ones of domestic animals and can be seen upto 3 months of age. Anatomically the umbilicus and its associated structures comprised of the amniotic membrane, umbilical vein (paired externally), paired umbilical arteries and the urachus. At birth the amniotic membrane of the umbilical cord breaks followed by gradual closure of the umbilical vein and the urachus. The smooth muscles of the umbilical arteries contracts thereby forcing the umbilical arteries retract as far back as the top of the bladder. The umbilical cord normally dries up within a week, usually 1 to 8 days, after parturition.
Inflammation of the external aspects of umbilicus, umbilical veins and umbilical arteries is known as omphalitis, omphalophlebitis and omphalo-arteritis, respectively. The infection may manifest in any of the clinical entities or combination of omphalitis, omphalophlebitis, omphaloarteritis or infection of the urachus. In omphalitis, umbilicus is enlarged, painful on palpation and may be closed or draining purulent material which oozes through a fistula. Omphalophlebitis may occur in distal part or extend from the umbilicus to the liver Here abscesses can spread throughout the vein and into the liver. The clinical findings in navel ill are usually the enlargement of the umbilicus with purulent material, chronic toxaemia and unthriftiness. The prevalence of navel ill or omphalitis is 5 to 15% of new-born calves. The occurrence of this condition is mostly associated with poor hygienic maintenance of maternity pen, prolonged residency of new born calf in unhygienic maternity pen, lack of adequate and late intake of good quality colostrums and poor navel antisepsis after parturition. Navel ill acts as source of infection leading to septicemia in neonates.
Aetiology:
The disease is caused usually owing to improper disinfection of the umbilical cord after birth due to mixed infection of E. coli, Proteus spp., streptococci, Spherophorous necrophorus and Actinomyces (Corynebacterium) pyogenes.
Clinical findings:
Swollen navel portion occurs by bacterial contamination of umbilicus following parturition. Ripening of the area followed by purulent discharge is noticed and hairs are wet and matted with the discharge and foul smelling. Decrease in milk intake (slight anorexia), temperature may rise to 103 °F, diarrhoea, weakness dull and depression. Pulse and respiratory rates may be within the normal range. The mucous membrane congested and the navel region swollen, painful to touch and dark necrotized tissue within the navel opening.
A calf with navel ill.
Oozing of pus from the ambilicus
Swollen navel portion
Diagnosis:
It is based on the following criteria:
(a) History and clinical signs of swelling of umbilicus
(b) Detection of purulent discharges from the lesions
(c) Demonstration of infectious agents in stained smear and culture
Therapeutic regimen:
Animals should be treated as soon as the swelling is noticed in the umbilicus. Antibiotic should be a combination of Procaine penicillin, Penicillin G sodium and Streptomycin sulphate (Dicrysticin-DS, Zydus Animal Heath Ltd, Ahmedabad)), at a dosage of 1 ml/20 kg, 1.25 ml administered intramuscularly, once daily for 5 days. Non-steroidal analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent, Meloxicam, (Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ahmedabad) 0.3 mg/kg, 1.5 ml, intramuscularly, twice daily for 3 days. A dietary supplement, Tribivet, 3.5 ml intramuscularly for 5 days to increase the metabolism and enhance the appetite. The pus should be drained and cleaning of necrotic tissues and debris should be followed by application of 1 % potassium permanganate solution and hydrogen peroxide and subsequent application of Negasunt powder (Bayer Animal Pvt Ltd) and Lorexane cream (Gamma benzene hexachloride and proflavine hemisulphate with cetrimide cream, Virbac Animal Health India Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, India). Use of Topicure spray (Natural Remedies) as a fly repellent to prevent the infestation of the wound with maggot surrounding the umbilicus twice daily is recommended, followed by daily dressing with povidone iodine application for 5 days.
Control:
(a) Any surgical operation (castration, docking etc.) should be done with adequate pre-caution under full coverage of antibacterial umbrella.
(b) Navel cord should be dipped in Tr. Iodine or povidone iodine after birth.
(c) The newly born animals should be kept clean and a knot is tied an inch below the umbilicus, which is cut and tincture iodine is applied to prevent bacterial contamination.
(d) Maternal barn and the calf shed should be kept clean.
(e) Floor should be scrubbed and disinfected prior to calving.
(f) Navel sucking by other calf or mother should be prevented.
(g) External genitalia of the cow should be cleaned prior to delivery.
(h) Fly repellent should be used to curb down the fly population and thus spread of infection.
The content of the articles are accurate and true to the beast of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
