Calf omphalitis causing stunted growth, how to prevent and treat it

    1. Cause: During assisted calving, the umbilical cord was not disinfected or not thoroughly disinfected; calves suckling each other leads to umbilical infection and inflammation. Improper feeding and management, poor external environment, such as a damp, muddy exercise yard, bedding not replaced in time, and poor sanitary conditions, lead to umbilical infection.  

Calf

    2. Symptoms: In the early stage of omphalitis, it often goes unnoticed, and the calf only shows indigestion and diarrhea. As the disease progresses, the calf becomes depressed, body temperature rises to 40—41°C, and it is unwilling to walk. The umbilical cord and tissues become swollen, firm on palpation, and the calf shows a pain response. The severed end of the umbilical cord is moist, and when pressed by hand, foul-smelling purulent discharge is squeezed out; in some cases, because the severed end is closed, the pus cannot be squeezed out, and an abscess forms around the umbilical opening. Affected calves often have indigestion, diarrhea or bloating, arch their backs, are thin and weak, and their development is stunted. With timely treatment, the prognosis is generally good.

 
    3. Prevention: Do a good job of umbilical cord handling and disinfection. Cut the umbilical cord about 5 cm from the abdomen, then soak the severed end in 10% iodine tincture for 1 minute. Maintain good sanitary conditions, disinfect the exercise yard, replace bedding in time, and regularly disinfect with 1%-2% caustic soda. Newborn calves should be housed in individual pens to prevent calves from suckling each other and to prevent disease occurrence.

 
    4. Treatment: Eliminate inflammation and prevent the inflammation from spreading. 

 
   (1)Local treatment: In the early stage of the disease, the local area can be cleaned with 1-2% potassium permanganate and painted with 10% iodine tincture. If swelling around the affected area occurs, penicillin 600,000-800,000 international units can be injected.  

   (2)When an abscess has already formed, it should be incised to drain the pus, then rinsed with 3% hydrogen peroxide, and iodamine powder should be scattered inside. In severe cases, necrotic tissue can be surgically removed and coated with iodoform ether (iodoform 1 part, ether 10 parts); silver nitrate, copper sulfate, or potassium permanganate powder can also be used for cauterization.  

   (3)Systemic treatment: Sulfonamides and antibiotics can be used, commonly penicillin 600,000-800,000 international units, injected intramuscularly once, twice a day, for 3-5 consecutive times. If the calf has symptoms of indigestion, it can be given sulfaguanidine and baking soda 6 grams each, 5-10 yeast tablets or stomachic tablets, twice a day, for three consecutive days.