The calf's navel is inflamed: treatment and prevention of suppuration, causes

Umbilical sepsis (omphalitis) is an infectious disease that affects newborn animals. Pathology develops as a result of pathogenic bacteria entering the tissues through the umbilical cord. If the calf has an inflamed navel, treatment is required immediately. Otherwise, blood poisoning will occur, and the animal will die. Most often, the disease is detected in calves during the first ten days.

What is the danger of umbilical sepsis

Chronic omphalitis does not pose a threat to the life of the newborn, but significantly undermines the he alth of the patient:

1. Development of hematological diseases.
2. Joint and lung damage.
3. The occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, including low blood pressure, tachycardia, myocarditis, pericarditis.
4. Toxic hepatitis.
5. Respiratory failure.
6. Indigestion. Prolonged diarrhea leads to dehydration and a significant decrease in the weight of the calf.
7. Necrosis of tissues around the navel.
8. The appearance of metastases in organs.

The acute form of the disease leads to the death of the animal in just a few days. Running chronic sepsis can cause a coma in a calf.

Causes of occurrence

The disease most often occurs within the farm without any external influence. The most common causes of sepsis are:

1. Unsanitary conditions in a livestock facility. Cleanliness is especially important at calving. Newborn calves are most susceptible to infection. If the room is dirty, pathogens instantly enter the open wound and provoke sepsis. Usually the source of infection is dirty bedding, dishes, unwashed hands of staff.
2. The introduction of pathogenic microflora at the time of the introduction of drugs into the navel to revive the fetus.
3. The thinness of the skin of the fetus, caused by malformations or prematurity.
4. Decrease in immunity due to improper feeding of the cow.
5. Immaturity of the vessels of the umbilical cord.

Disease symptoms

Signs of inflammation of the umbilical cord at the initial stage develop very quickly. Approximately 10 hours after calving, the following manifestations are observed:

• thickening of the umbilical cord;
• navel pain;
• slight increase in body temperature;
• stool problems (constipation);
• no umbilical wound regeneration;
• soon you will notice that the navel is festering (phlegmons appear - deep abscesses);
• calf refuses to drink mother's milk;
• weight gain stops;
• purulent rashes appear on the skin;
• skin hemorrhages observed;
• shortness of breath;
• convulsions.

Diagnostic rules

Monitoring the condition of animals during the calving period allows you to collect the necessary clinical data for the diagnosis of the disease. For accurate detection of pathology, diagnostic tests are used:

• analysis of changes in the umbilical cord;
• analysis of changes in surrounding tissues and the entire skin (presence of pustules and other negative changes);
• bacterial culture;
• blood test for pathogens;
• checking the frequency and rhythm of breathing.

It is important to distinguish omphalitis from other similar diseases. The latter should include:

• dysentery;
• dyspepsia;
• typhoid;
• tuberculosis;
• brucellosis;
• lymphogranulomatosis.

How to treat umbilical inflammation in calves

Therapy for umbilical sepsis is carried out according to one of the following treatment regimens:

1. Administration of an antibiotic intramuscularly for 3-6 days. On the first day, "Selendant" is used, on the first and fifth days - "Trivit", on the first and fourth - novocaine solution (intraperitoneally).
2. On the first and second day, antibiotic injections are made - one part at the base of the umbilical cord, the other - intramuscularly. For 3-6 days, antibiotic injections are given intramuscularly, then they act according to the first scheme.
3. Intramuscular injections of the antibiotic are given for 3-6 days. On the first day they inject "Selendant". "Trivit" is used on the first and fifth days, and on the first, second and third days novocaine solution is injected (inside the abdominal wall around the problem area, the dose is divided into parts and injected into the navel from 3-4 sides).On the first and fourth days, the same drug is injected intraperitoneally into the region of the right hungry fossa.

Important notes:

• before using an antibiotic, it is important to test the sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria to this drug;
• injecting bulls can easily hurt the bladder, which is highly undesirable;
• before injecting the drug, the solution must be warmed up.

Prevention

The main actions to prevent the development of umbilical sepsis in calves are:

1. The adoption of childbirth in sterile conditions, in compliance with all hygiene rules. The allowable number of microbes per cubic meter is no more than 50,000.
2. After calving, newborns should be wiped with a clean, dry cloth.
3. Cut off the umbilical cord if it has not broken off on its own. The operation is carried out with a processed tool. At the same time, 7-8 centimeters of fabric are left.
4. Then it is necessary to remove the warton jelly and treat the area with antiseptics (iodine, ethyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green, a solution of chlorhexidine or dioxidine).
5. Keeping the pet area clean.

When calves show signs of umbilical sepsis, the sick animal must be given urgent veterinary care. The acute form of omphalitis lasts for several days, so there is very little time left to save the calf.In some cases, in the absence of treatment, the pathology becomes chronic, but no less dangerous. Compliance with preventive measures will help prevent the development of pathology.

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