Prevalence of <i>Atresia ani</i> in New Born Calves and Their Surgical Management

Abstract

This study was conducted in 46 calves to investigate the prevalence of atresia ani/atresia ani et recti in calves at Veterinary Teaching Hospital, & Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Bangladesh Agricultural University (from June 2009-June 2011) and Shombugong area (Mymensingh District) from January 2008- December 2009. The total percentage of the affections was 23% among the surgical affections in new born calves. The frequency and location of intestinal malformations and gender distribution of affected calves were investigated. The occurrence of atresia ani/ atresia ani et recti in cross bred or indigenous bred were also studied. Atresia ani with or without other intestinal malformations was diagnosed by the Veterinarian at day 1 (25 calves), day 2 (13 calves), day 3-4 (3 calves) and day 5-8 (2 calves) after birth. The affected calves were reported to have been nursed normally immediately after birth but clinical sign became progressively worse with abdominal distension, loss of appetite and abdominal straining. There was no anal opening, but a bulge appeared at its site. Male calves were more frequently affected with atresia ani than those of female calves. The ratio of the male and female affections was approximately 5: 2. The total percentage of indigenous calves affected with atresia ani was 71.74% and the crossbred were 28.26%. Surgical correction is the only successful technique for atresia ani. The prognosis of surgical correction of atresia ani in calves was found good.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v12i1.20462 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2014). 12 (1): 41-45