Single intraoperative administration of antibiotic to cows with caecal torsion: Wound infection and postoperative performance. A retrospective and prospective study

Abstract

Summary Wound infection and postoperative performance after a single intra-abdominal administration of 9 g sodium ampicillin in cows operated on for caecal dilatation or torsion (n=33) were evaluated. In the 25 animals that left the clinic in good health (76% short-term survival), no wound infection occurred. Postoperative performance was normal in 21 of these animals (84%). The figures for short-term survival and postoperative performance are comparable to those from a retrospective study of 169 animals operated on between 1985 and 1990. Single intra- abdominal administration of sodium ampicillin during surgery provides good protection against infection without negative effects on the postoperative performance.