Surgical management of a case of subcutaneous abscess caused by Staphylococcus aureus in adult White Fulani cow

Abstract

A White Fulani cow whose record reveals three-year old, weighing about 350kg belonging to DUFARMS of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta was presented with a swelling on the left flank. Clinical evaluation of the animal revealed the following: rectal temperature, 38.2°C, heart rate, 60bpm and respiratory rate, 35bpm. A rectangular shaped mass, soft and warm to touch was palpated on the left flank. Pus was aspirated from the swelling with a sterile needle and syringe, and taken for biogram. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the aspirate which was sensitive to antibiotic, enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and gentamycin (Table 1). Total surgical extirpation of the encapsulated abscess was carried out aseptically under sedation and local anaesthesia and managed chemotherapeutically using antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory agents post operatively.