Development of clinical sign-based scoring system for assessment of omphalitis in neonatal calves

Daniel‐Dean Steerforth,Steven Van Winden

doi:10.1136/vr.104213

Abstract

Omphalitis contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in neonatal calves. Diagnosis of omphalitis is based on the local signs of inflammation—pain, swelling, local heat and purulent discharge. An abattoir trial...

Highlights

IntroductionThe umbilicus is a sensitive porte d’entre for these pathogens to invade the calf’s body
At birth, the calf is sterile and is born in a pathogen-rich environment
Considering the importance of early and accurate detection of omphalitis and with the aim to create a scoring system similar to the scoring systems for Bovine Respiratory Disease (McGuirk, 2008; Aly and others, 2014; Love and others, 2014), this paper describes a study that evaluates the reliability of clinical signs used by farmers and vets to assess the umbilicus, with the ultimate goal to present an individual sign approach or a composite algorithm to diagnose omphalitis

Summary

Introduction

The umbilicus is a sensitive porte d’entre for these pathogens to invade the calf’s body. Omphalitis has been described as inflammation of any of the three component structures of the umbilicus - the two umbilical arteries, the umbilical veins and the urachus (Madigan, 2009). The urachus is the most commonly affected structure in calves and the umbilical arteries least frequently affected (Trent and Smith, 1984). There may be inflammation or swelling of the surrounding tissues, or other intraabdominal structures may be involved. The infection of any of these structures will manifest with the overt signs of inflammation – heat, swelling, purulent discharge and pain and could significantly contribute to neonatal morbidity and mortality (Virtala and others, 1996; Miessa and others, 2003)

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Discussion

Conclusion