Risk factors related to the appearance of umbilical disorders in dairy calves / [Fatores de risco relacionados ao surgimento de afecções umbilicais em bezerros leiteiros]

The objective of this study was to determine the types of calve housing used in dairy farms, the prevalence of umbilical disorders and related risk factors. The 16 farms studied were visited to characterize the types of installation and possible risk factors, as well as information obtained from a questionnaire applied to the farmers. 806 Holstein calves were physically examined, in addition to collecting blood samples for the evaluation of Failures in Passive Immunity Transfer (FPIT), in animals that manifested inflammatory omphalopathies, and were also submitted to ultrasound examination. The prevalence of omphalopathies was assessed by Fisher's test, and multivariate logistic regression to assess risk factors. Eight types of installation were found: tropical house, suspended cage, collective stall, collective picket, Argentinean type, single-story cage, individual stall, and collective picket with chain. Omphalopathies accounted for 6.45% of the calves. Small size farms (up to 99 lactation cows) had high risk for umbilical disorders, ground floor collective calves, without side protection, with sand floor, in closed sheds and without heatstroke were considered risk factors for omphalopathies. Adequate colostrum and umbilical antisepsis are not associated with disease, its appearance being related to the housing conditions of the animals.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os tipos de alojamento para bezerros leiteiros, a prevalência de onfalopatias e os fatores de risco relacionados. As 16 fazendas estudadas foram visitadas buscando-se caracterizar os tipos de instalação e os possíveis fatores de risco, além de informações obtidas de um questionário aplicado aos fazendeiros. Foram examinados fisicamente 806 bezerros da raça Holandesa, além da coleta de amostras de sangue, para avaliação da falha de transferência de imunidade passiva (FTIP), nos animais que manifestaram onfalopatias inflamatórias, sendo submetidos também ao exame ultrassonográfico. A prevalência das onfalopatias foi avaliada por teste de Fisher, e foi feita regressão logística multivariada a fim de se avaliarem os fatores de risco. Verificou-se oito tipos de instalação: casinha tropical, gaiola suspensa, baia coletiva, piquete coletivo, bezerreiro tipo argentino, gaiola térrea, baia individual e piquete coletivo com corrente. As onfalopatias corresponderam a 6,45% dos bezerros. Os bezerreiros coletivos térreos, sem proteções laterais, com piso de areia, borracha, concreto ou madeira, em galpões fechados, sem insolação, com alta densidade animal, antissepsia umbilical realizada por três dias e FTIP acima de 50% foram considerados fatores de risco para onfalopatias e possuem relação com o bezerreiro, sendo decisivas para evitar essas condições a colostragem e a antissepsia umbilical adequadas.(AU)

Abordagem cirúrgica em bezerros com onfalite / Surgical approach in calves with omphalitis

Pathological changes in the umbilical region are common in calves. Among such alterations, omphalitis is included. This term is used to define inflammation and infection of the external structures of the umbilicus. According to the affected structures, it can be subclassified into omphalophlebitis, omphaloarteritis, omphalourachitis and panvasculitis. These inflammations are usually associated with bacterial infections. There are predisposing conditions that include inadequate handling such as poor hygiene and neglect of primary care. Omphalitis can affect the animal in a multisystemic way, compromising its well-being and bringing economic losses. In treatment, the use of antimicrobials does not always solve the problem. Thus, surgical treatment can be used, which has good results and should be the choice in the disease. The objective of this work is to report 30 cases of omphalitis in calves, submitted to surgical or conservative treatment. Thirty cases of omphalitis in calves treated in the routine of the Veterinary Hospital of the Paranaense University was analyzed. On physical examination, the animals presented fever, apathy, hyporexia or anorexia and increase of umbilical volume, usually with purulent secretion. Some animals had sepsis and arthritis. In animals with sepsis, hyperemia of the episcleral vessels, dehydration and severe apathy were observed. In calves with arthritis, increased joint volume, pain on palpation and lameness were observed. In animals where the owners did not authorize the surgery, treatment was instituted with sulfadoxine and flunixim meglumine. In dehydrated calves, fluid therapy was used. Animals that were surgically treated received the same clinical treatment protocol as non-operated animals. The surgical procedure was performed under general anesthesia and consisted of resection of the affected umbilical structures. Omphalophlebitis was the most common illness. The most frequent complication was sepsis. Calves treated surgically had a higher survival rate (86.66%) than those treated clinically (46.67%). The clinical signs presented by all animals converged with the literature, allowing for clinical diagnosis. Clinical examination is essential for diagnosis in omphalitis cases. Complementary methods include ultrasound, thermography and laparoscopy, which are important to identify changes in intra-abdominal umbilical structures. Accurate diagnosis of the involved structures was only possible in animals surgically, as well as alterations in organs such as the liver and bladder. There is great variability related to the umbilical structures involved, according to initial care, breeds, seasonality or even the method of conception. Unlike what is observed in the literature, in the present study, there was a higher prevalence of omphalophlebitis, demonstrating variability in relation to the umbilical structures involved. Sepsis, observed in 16.7% of cases, results from bacterial ascension of the umbilical structures. Lameness due to polyarthritis was found in 10% of animals. Meningoencephalitis was observed in 3.3%. Hepatic and retroperitoneal abscedation were observed in 6.7% and 3.3% of cases, respectively. Conservative treatment with antibiotics and local antiseptics has a limited effect on this type of condition, which was proven in the present study, since the survival rate was statistically higher in animals surgically treated.(AU)

Serum immunoglobulin from Nellore cattle produced by in vitro fertilization and treated for umbilical diseases / Imunoglobulinas séricas de bovinos Nelore produzidos por fertilização in vitro e tratados para onfalopatias

The aim of this study was to measure serum immunoglobulin concentrations of Nellore cattle produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) with umbilical diseases and to evaluate surgical excision as a method of treatment. Sixteen cattle with ages ranging from 1 to 15 months, males and females, affected by umbilical diseases were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected for cell counts and the determination of immunoglobulin concentrations by electrophoresis and zinc sulphate turbidimetry (ZST). Four calves were presented with umbilical herniation, two with an umbilical herniation associated with a persistent urachus, two with an umbilical herniation with a persistent urachus and omphaloarteritis, three with an umbilical herniation and an urachal diverticulum, three with a persistent urachus, one with an urachal diverticulum, and one with omphalitis. The blood cell counts pre- and post-surgical revealed differences in cell volume and the number of leukocytes. The immunoglobulin values measured by electrophoresis values were below normal in most animals, whereas the ZST showed normal levels in most of them. Most of the calves affected by umbilical diseases and produced by IVF presented hypoglobulinaemia. Correlations between umbilical diseases, failure of passive transfer of immunity and IVF could not be demonstrated.(AU)

Os objetivos desse estudo foram mensurar as concentrações séricas das imunoglobulinas de bovinos Nelore, produzidos por fertilização in vitro (FIV), acometidos por onfalopatias e avaliar a excisão cirúrgica como método de tratamento. Utilizou-se 16 animais, com idade variando de 1 a 15 meses, machos e fêmeas, acometidos por afecções umbilicais. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas para realização de hemogramas e avaliação das imunoglobulinas, por meio de eletroforese e turbidimetria com sulfato de zinco. Foram observados quatro casos de hérnias umbilicais, dois de hérnia umbilical associadas à persistência de úraco, dois casos de hérnia umbilical com persistência de úraco e onfaloarterite, três de hérnia umbilical com divertículo de úraco, três casos de persistência de úraco, um de divertículo de úraco e um de onfalite. O hemograma revelou diferença significativa para os valores de Volume Globular e Leucócitos, nos momentos pré e pós-tratamento cirúrgico dos animais. A eletroforese evidenciou valores de imunoglobulina abaixo da normalidade na maioria dos animais, enquanto que a turbidimetria apresentou níveis normais na maioria dos bovinos, quando comparados com valores de referência. A maioria dos bovinos estudados, acometidos de onfalopatias e concebidos por FIV, apresentaram hipoglobulinemia. Os resultados obtidos não permitem afirmar que existe relação entre as onfalopatias, falha de transferência de imunidade passiva e FIV.(AU)

Partial hepatectomy in a calf with an omphalocele: case report / Hepatectomia parcial em bezerra portadora de onfalocele: relato de caso

An omphalocele is a defect in the closure of the abdominal wall during the embryonic stage, preventing the return of some abdominal organs to the cavity. In stillborn animals, the involvement of the liver in the omphalocele has been reported. The aim of the present study is to report the success of a partial liver resection in a female bovine at two days of age which presented an omphalocele at birth. Surgical intervention was indicated to reduce and suture the abdominal wall. During the surgical procedure, the presence of hard, reddish tissue was noted inside the sac covered by the amniotic membrane, with characteristics consistent with hepatic parenchyma. Due to the impossibility of reducing the contents added to the suggestion of tissue infection, we elected to perform a partial resection. The histopathological examination confirmed that the resected tissue was of the hepatic parenchyma. Antibiotic and systemic anti-inflammatory therapies were performed post-surgery. Fifteen days after surgery, infection was detected at the surgical site in addition to abdominal wound dehiscence; surgical reintervention was performed. On physical examination, carried out 4 months after the second operation, the heifer presented normal development for the species. In conclusion, omphalocele may contain liver. Ectopic liver is an extremely rare condition. Surgical treatment in the presented case focused on umbilicus with exploration of the abdominal cavity appeared to be sufficient.(AU)

A onfalocele é um defeito no fechamento da parede abdominal durante a fase embrionária, não permitindo o retorno de alguns órgãos abdominais à cavidade. O envolvimento do fígado em onfalocele tem sido relatado, porém em animais natimortos. Com o presente estudo, objetiva-se relatar uma ressecção parcial do fígado realizada com sucesso em uma fêmea bovina com dois dias de idade apresentando onfalocele ao nascimento. Foi indicada a intervenção cirúrgica para a redução e rafia da parede abdominal. Durante o procedimento cirúrgico, notou-se, no interior do saco recoberto pela membrana amniótica, a presença de tecido firme, de coloração avermelhada, com características compatíveis com parênquima hepático. Devido à impossibilidade de redução do conteúdo e sugestão de infecção do tecido encontrado, optou-se pela ressecção parcial dele. O exame histopatológico confirmou tratar-se de parênquima hepático o tecido resseccionado. No pós-cirúrgico, realizaram-se terapias antibiótica e antiinflamatória sistêmicas. Após 15 dias do procedimento cirúrgico, foi detectada infecção do sítio operatório e deiscência da sutura abdominal, sendo realizada reintervenção cirúrgica. No exame físico, realizado no animal após quatro meses da segunda intervenção cirúrgica, constatou-se desenvolvimento normal para a espécie. Conclui-se que o fígado pode ser conteúdo da onfalolocele, sendo uma condição extremamente rara. O tratamento cirúrgico no caso apresentado, com exploração da cicatriz umbilical e da cavidade abdominal, foi suficiente.(AU)

Correlação entre os métodos de concepção, ocorrência e formas de tratamento das onfalopatias em bovinos: estudo retrospectivo / Correlation between conception methods, occurrence, and type o treatment of the umbilical diseases in cattle: a retrospective study

Alguns problemas têm sido observados nos bezerros produtos da técnica fertilização in vitro, dentre esses a elevada casuística de onfalopatias. A partir dessa observação, objetivou-se com este trabalho realizar um estudo retrospectivo da correlação entre os métodos de concepção e a ocorrência de onfalopatias em bovinos e descrever os resultados obtidos a partir dos tratamentos conservativo e cirúrgico. Foram utilizados 44 bovinos atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Unesp, Campus de Araçatuba, com idade variando de um dia a 12 meses entre os anos de 2003 e 2007. Desses bovinos 27 eram provenientes de fertilização in vitro (FIV), 12 de inseminação artificial (IA), dois de monta natural (MN) e três de transferência de embriões (TE). O diagnóstico clínico-cirúrgico revelou que todos apresentavam afecções umbilicais, sendo 22 casos de persistência de úraco, oito de onfaloflebite, oito de hérnias umbilicais, cinco de onfalites e um de fibrose umbilical. Inicialmente e no pós-operatório administrou-se em todos os animais, uma vez ao dia, durante dez dias, 3mg/kg de ceftiofur sódico pela via intravenosa (IV). Nos casos de infecção grave ou irresponsiva a terapia antimicrobiana inicial, acrescentou-se 6,6mg/kg, durante sete dias de sulfato de gentamicina IV. A antissepsia do umbigo, com tintura de iodo a 2 por cento, foi instituída duas vezes ao dia, nos casos tratados conservativamente, enquanto que os bovinos submetidos à cirurgia receberam 1,1mg/kg de flunixin meglumine IV, uma vez ao dia, por cinco dias consecutivos. Dos 22 animais diagnosticados com persistência de úraco, 10 apresentavam drenagem de urina pelo umbigo e receberam 2mL de tintura de iodo 10 por cento no interior do úraco, sendo 15 tratados com a excisão cirúrgica, especialmente, devido à formação de divertículo vésico-uracal. Todos os animais que apresentavam onfaloflebite e hérnia umbilical foram submetidos à cirurgia...

Some problems have been observed in bovine products of the in vitro fertilization technical, among these, the high umbilical diseases casuistry. From this observation, the aim of this work was to accomplish a retrospective study of the correlation between the conception methods and the occurrence of umbilical diseases in bovines and describe the results obtained from the conservative and surgical treatments. For this 44 animals attended at Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Unesp Araçatuba, with age varying from one day to 12 months among the years of 2003 and 2007 were used, twenty seven were from in vitro fertilization (IVF), twelve were from artificial insemination (AI), two were from natural mounts and three were from embryo transfer. The clinical-surgical diagnosis of the animals revealed that all of them presented umbilical disorders, being 22 cases of urachus patent, eight omphalophlebitis, eight umbilical hernia, five omphalitis and one umbilical fibrosis. Before and at the postoperative period was administered in all animals once a day for ten days 3mg/kg of ceftiofur sodium IV. In cases of serious infection or lack of response of the initial antimicrobial therapy a complementary treatment during seven days with 6.6 mg/kg of gentamicin sulfate IV was carried out. The antisepsis of the umbilicus with tincture of iodine to 2 percent was carried out twice daily in cases treated clinically, with out surgery, while the animals underwent surgery received 1.1mg/kg of flunixin meglumine IV once daily for five consecutive days.Among the 22 animals diagnosed with urachus patent, 10 had urine drainage from the umbilicus and received 2mL of 10 percent tincture of iodine in the urachus, and 15 was treated with surgical excision, due to formation of diverticulum from the blader to urachus. All animals that were affected with omphalophlebitis and umbilical hernia were submitted to surgery...

Studies on the umbilical affections in calves

A total number of 2102 calves was examined raging in age from one day to nine months. Thirteen cattle and buffalo farms in different areas of Upper Egypt were visited regularly. The common umbilical affections were studied in relation to housing and breeding systems, breed, age, sex and other accompanying diseases. The results showed that umbilical masses should not be dealt with a simple entity, but the different possible etiological factors should be considered. Moreover, surgical intervention proved to be the ensured way to deal with cases of umbilical masses individually