Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy can be an effective adjuvant for surgical wound healing in cattle.

BACKGROUND: Rumenostomy is a useful procedure commonly performed in cattle for medical treatment of domestic ruminants with forestomach diseases. Methylene blue (MB)-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) has been broadly investigated to treat infected wounds. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of MB-mediated APDT (MB-APDT) combined with chlorhexidine and zinc oxide ointment on wound healing process after rumenostomy. METHODS: Fourteen Nelore bulls were subjected to rumenostomy procedure. Animals were randomly divided into MB-APDT (MB associated with a red diode laser performed immediately after surgery and repeated on days 3, 5, 7 and 10) and control groups. Daily care included topical cleaning with chlorhexidine 2% followed by topical zinc oxide ointment. Animals were followed-up until the 28th day. RESULTS: Wounds presented a better post-surgical profile in MB-APDT group when it was compared with the control group. In MB-APDT group, it was also possible to observe less pain on palpation of wounds borders, less edema and inflammatory exudate. Additionally, animals from MB-APDT group were faster discharged from the cattle care facility. CONCLUSION: Our results support the use of MB-APDT for the post-surgical management of rumenostomy. This pilot study ratifies the use of APDT in cattle and also suggests that it could be performed for other surgical procedures as a complementary approach or an alternative for topical administration of antibiotics.

Rib fracture in buffalo with ruminal cannula

Background: Buffalos are very rustic animals that are adapted to adverse conditions, but the lack of adequate managementcan increase the susceptibility of these animals to several diseases. Rib fracture in this species is usually related to mineraldeficiency and complications resulting from unappropriated management. Rib fractures in ruminants are rarely diagnosedand usually present conservative treatment; however, cases with presence of contaminated wounds require extra attention.The objective of this work was to report an atypical case of open fracture of the last rib in a buffalo with ruminal cannula,describing the case from diagnosis to surgical treatment.Case: An adult female water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) that was well fed and receiving minerals, with implantation ofa ruminal cannula, presented a lesion around the ruminal cannula, with increasing volume, exudation, and myiasis. Thegeneral parameters and behavior of the animal were apparently normal. The animal presented normal appetite and respiration and good physical condition and nutritional state, with pain reaction to the touch in the region of the lesion andtheir adjacencies; it presented no claudication and reluctance to remain in left lateral decubitus, and no discomfort. Theclinical inspection of the cutaneous lesion showed an oblique-type fracture in the body of the last left rib, with exposedbone in the lumbar region and extremity exposed to the ruminal cannula, already presenting necrosis. The region wascleaned, removing larvae (myiasis) for better exposition of the fracture; in the following day...(AU)

Rib fracture in buffalo with ruminal cannula

Background: Buffalos are very rustic animals that are adapted to adverse conditions, but the lack of adequate managementcan increase the susceptibility of these animals to several diseases. Rib fracture in this species is usually related to mineraldeficiency and complications resulting from unappropriated management. Rib fractures in ruminants are rarely diagnosedand usually present conservative treatment; however, cases with presence of contaminated wounds require extra attention.The objective of this work was to report an atypical case of open fracture of the last rib in a buffalo with ruminal cannula,describing the case from diagnosis to surgical treatment.Case: An adult female water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) that was well fed and receiving minerals, with implantation ofa ruminal cannula, presented a lesion around the ruminal cannula, with increasing volume, exudation, and myiasis. Thegeneral parameters and behavior of the animal were apparently normal. The animal presented normal appetite and respiration and good physical condition and nutritional state, with pain reaction to the touch in the region of the lesion andtheir adjacencies; it presented no claudication and reluctance to remain in left lateral decubitus, and no discomfort. Theclinical inspection of the cutaneous lesion showed an oblique-type fracture in the body of the last left rib, with exposedbone in the lumbar region and extremity exposed to the ruminal cannula, already presenting necrosis. The region wascleaned, removing larvae (myiasis) for better exposition of the fracture; in the following day...