Umbilical sepsis in calves: treatment of inflammation of the umbilical cord

The problem of the safety of young animals is always relevant. Infectious diseases, birth injuries are still a challenge for veterinary medicine. Especially dangerous is umbilical sepsis that develops after calving.

What is dangerous umbilical sepsis

An acute course is fraught with the death of a calf in just a few days. Moving into the chronic stage, umbilical sepsis ceases to be life-threatening, but affects health:

1. The lungs and joints of the calf are quickly affected.
2. Circulatory insufficiency and alkalization of the blood leads to gemological diseases.
3. Infection of the cardiovascular system threatens with a decrease in pressure and tachycardia. In the future, myocarditis and pericarditis develop. As a result, the heart muscle begins to work with disorders.
4. Complications from the respiratory system are fraught with insufficiency and ischemia of the lung.
5. From the side of the liver, umbilical sepsis threatens with toxic hepatitis.
6. The functions of the gastrointestinal tract are impaired. This leads to catastrophic weight loss and dehydration as a result of prolonged diarrhea.
7. The wound shows areas of tissue necrosis.
8. Metastases develop in various organs. Neoplasms in the lungs threaten with purulent gangrene and severe pneumonia. Damage to areas of the brain flows into meningitis, which sometimes leads to death.

Causes of umbilical sepsis in calves

Umbilical sepsis is more often recorded in calves aged 1-10 days. It often appears within the economy, and is not brought in from the outside. The main causes of the disease:

1. The introduction of pathogenic microflora into the umbilical cord in case of unsanitary conditions at the hotel. An open wound contributes to the rapid development of sepsis. It occurs in direct contact with dirty bedding or non-sterile hands of attendants.
2. Infection with the introduction of drugs into the navel during calving. This manipulation is usually associated with fetal resuscitation.
3. Increased permeability of the skin of the fetus as a result of prematurity or malformations.
4. Immaturity of the vessels of the umbilical cord or the central nervous system.
5. Decreased resistance to infections with inadequate feeding of the cow.

Symptoms of inflammation of the navel in calves

The first signs of umbilical sepsis occur quickly. This form of the disease is called septicemia. It is characterized by the presence of a large number of bacteria and toxins.

Already 8-12 hours after calving, we observe the following symptoms:

1. The umbilical cord is thickened, painful.
2. The body temperature rises by 0,5-1,5 degrees, constipation begins.
3. The umbilical wound does not heal well.
4. Suppuration in the region of the umbilicus. The presence of deep abscesses without clear boundaries – phlegmon.
5. Refusal to suck the udder.
6. Stop adding weight.
7. Skin with pustular eruptions and hemorrhages.
8. Dyspnea.
9. Seizures are possible.

Diagnosis of umbilical sepsis

Diagnosis of umbilical sepsis is carried out according to anamnestic data during calving, clinical, pathological and anatomical signs. The main diagnostic tests are changes in the umbilical cord and the surrounding area. Umbilical sepsis is diagnosed based on the following data:

• symptoms of the umbilical cord – the navel swells in the calf;
• bacterial cultures,
• blood tests for aerobic, anaerobic bacteria;
• the condition of the skin, the presence of pustules and hemorrhages;
• frequency and rhythm of breathing.

All tests are carried out at the peak of the disease. Sepsis should be distinguished from similar diseases. First of all, from dyspepsia, dysentery, enterobacterial infection. The complexity of determining at the initial stage of the disease lies in the similarity of symptoms to other pathologies – typhoid fever, Hodgkin’s disease, tuberculosis, brucellosis.

Treatment of inflammation of the umbilical cord in a calf

Treatment of inflammation of the navel in a calf is carried out according to several schemes after determining the sensitivity of the microflora to the antibiotic:

1. Intramuscular injection of the drug for 3-6 days. Initially, Seledan is used at a dose of 10 µg/kg of calf weight. The first and fifth day – the introduction of 2 ml of Trivit. They are pierced intraperitoneally with novocaine on the 1st and 4th day.
2. According to the second scheme, antibiotics are administered intramuscularly and to the base of the navel in the first 2 days. 3-6 days are used only intramuscularly. Next – according to scheme No. 1.
3. Third scheme. Similarly to the first – the introduction of Seledan on day 1 and Trivit on days 1, 5. Novocain in the first 3 days is pierced around the navel, on days 1 and 4 – injected intraperitoneally near the right hungry fossa.

   

4. There is a method of treatment by administering streptomycin and penicillin. However, it is ineffective. In addition, it does not relieve pain, does not increase the protective functions of the body. Streptomycin and penicillin are toxic, they kill not only pathogenic, but in general the entire microflora. With their introduction, pain sensations are reduced by adding a solution of novocaine.
5. To reduce labor intensity, antibiotic injections are used with a single injection of novocaine into the peritoneum at a dose of 1 ml / kg of body weight. 5-7 days intramuscularly put injections of streptomycin with penicillin or gentamicin. Supplement with 300000 units of streptomycin dissolved in novocaine. The introduction of novocaine increases lymphocytes by 41,7% with a simultaneous increase in erythrocytes. The duration of illness in calves is reduced from 6,2 days to 5,8. The therapeutic efficacy of this method was 97,5%.

Before the introduction of injections, sanitation of the focus of infection is necessary – antibacterial treatment with antiseptics, surgical removal of necrosis. For dehydration, intravenous solutions are used.

Symptomatic treatment for bleeding – vitamins C, K. In case of violations of the heart, caffeine is used.

During the period of umbilical sepsis in calves, treatment is carried out in a disinfected room. The animal is provided with clean bedding, limited from contact with urine and feces. Injuries to the navel are unacceptable. Sick animals are isolated.

Preventive measures

Immediately after birth, wipe the calf with a clean cloth. If spontaneous rupture of the navel does not occur, cut it off with a sterile instrument. After that, remove the warton jelly – a jelly-like layer of the umbilical cord. Treat the place with classic antiseptics.

Calf owners must keep the premises clean. During the provision of obstetric care, the veterinarian must observe sterility and accuracy during surgical interventions. Treatment of the navel with antiseptics should be carried out carefully.

Conclusion

Umbilical sepsis in a calf is a serious infectious disease. Treatment must begin immediately with the removal of pus and necrosis. Running sepsis can lead to death or serious consequences. Sepsis can be prevented by observing sanitary and hygienic standards.