Clinical features

umbilical eventration is seen in a small proportion of calves immediately after birth. The prolapsed intestines (jejunum) may be fully exposed, as in the Friesian (2.1), or contained in a sac of peritoneum. Opening the sac in a Charolais calf revealed a congested intestine (2.2). Often the exposed intestine ruptures when the calf moves. The prognosis is then hopeless. In more advanced and exposed cases the intestinal loops turn a deep red/purple color due to ischemic necrosis (2.1).

2.1 Umbilical eventration with jejunum (Friesian)

2.2 Umbilical eventration with jejunum (Charolais)

Management

except in the very recent (<3 hours) case, surgery is rarely warranted.

Definition

inflammation, usually by infection, of the tissues of the umbilicus.

Clinical features

lacking skin or any other protective layer, the moist, fleshy navel cord is particularly prone to infection until it dries up, normally within 1 week of birth. In the first calf (2.3) (shown at 3 days old) the enlarged and still moist navel cord is seen entering an inflamed and swollen umbilical ring. Navel ill is uncommon at this age.

2.3 Navel ill (omphalophlebitis) (Friesian, 3 days old)

The more typical case is pyrexic, with a swollen, painful navel exuding a foul-smelling creamy-white pus (2.4). Culture usually reveals a mixed bacterial flora including Escherichia coli, Proteus, Staphylococcus, and Arcanobacterium pyogenes. This case persisted for several weeks.

2.4 Navel ill with purulent exudate

Alopecia on the medial aspects of the thighs (2.5) is due to a combination of urine scald and excessive cleansing of the navel by the owner. Some cases show no gross discharge, but the tip of the swollen navel will be moist and malodorous.

2.5 Alopecia secondary to navel ill (Friesian)

In other cases an intra-abdominal abscess may develop in the omphalic (umbilical) vein. In 2.6, A shows the intra-abdominal abscess in the grossly distended umbilical vein, adjacent to the navel, B. Spontaneous rupture of the abscess can lead to death from peritonitis, as in this calf. Occasional cases involve the urachus to produce a cystitis which can lead to stunted growth, sickness, and death several months after birth.

2.6 Autopsy with omphalic venous abscessation and peritonitis

Septicemia can result in localization of infection in the joints (2.48, 2.49), meninges, endocardium, or end-arteries of limbs.

Differential diagnosis

umbilical hernia (2.9), eventration (2.1), granuloma (2.7).

2.7 Umbilical granuloma (Hereford cross)

Management

cleansing, removal of necrotic tissue, drainage, including use of a catheter to perform deep flushing of intra-abdominal lesions, and prolonged systemic antibiotics. Prevention involves improved hygiene at calving, routine use of topical dressings to disinfect and desiccate the moist navel cord, and optimal colostral intake.

Definition

a tumor-like mass of granulation tissue due to a chronic inflammatory process at the navel.

Clinical features

a small bifurcated mass of granulation tissue protrudes from the navel of this 2-week-old calf (2.7). Many cases consist of a single mass of tissue. It is only slightly painful and affected calves are generally not pyrexic, although there may be superficial infection present, as in this case. The condition will not resolve until the mass is removed by ligation at its base. If left untreated (2.8), it will persist into adult life.

2.8 Large umbilical granuloma

Clinical features

a large, soft, and fluctuating ventral abdominal swelling can be seen in this 3-month-old Friesian calf (2.9). The arched back in this calf clearly depicts discomfort. Many smaller hernias are not associated with pain. Rarely, in moderate-sized umbilical hernias, the jejunal loops become strangulated, and the calf is in severe pain, becomes toxemic, and dies within a day or two. Autopsy of one such case (2.10) shows the multiple loops with severe serosal hemorrhage. Although present from birth, some hernias are not noticed until the calf is at least 2–3 weeks old. A proportion of cases are inherited. Irreducible and strangulated hernias are uncommon.

2.9 Umbilical hernia

2.10 Jejunal loops in strangulated umbilical hernia

Differential diagnosis

navel abscess (2.11), urolithiasis (10.7), ruptured urethra (10.7).

2.11 Umbilical abscess (Friesian, 4 months old)

Management

small hernial rings often close within 6 months and do not require treatment. Large hernias require corrective surgery.

Clinical features

the swelling in this 4-month-old Friesian male (2.11) is cranial to the prepuce (compare urolithiasis (10.7), where it is caudal), and appeared spontaneously. The mass was initially hard, hot, and painful. Pyrexia led to systemic illness. Parenteral antibiotics resulted in a change to a more fluctuating swelling, which was successfully lanced and drained.

A hernia and an umbilical abscess can occur together. Occasionally, navel ill or navel abscess produces a localized peritonitis that erodes through the rumen wall to produce a rumenal fistula. 2.12 shows a 3-month-old Friesian male with a grossly enlarged navel sac, soiled anteriorly. Rumen contents leaked through the fistula, shown in close-up in 2.13.

2.12 Umbilical abscess and rumen fistula (Friesian, 3 months old)

2.13 Enlarged view of umbilical rumen fistula

Differential diagnosis

navel ill (2.3), umbilical hernia (2.9), rectourethral fistula (2.15).

2.14 Navel suckling

Management

careful investigation is needed to define any intra-abdominal involvement such as a urachal abscess. Exploratory surgery, with guarded prognosis.

Management

rear calves in single pens until 1 week postweaning. Feed milk from teats, not bucket. Control intercurrent disease.

Differential diagnosis

this rare condition may be confused with navel ill and pervious urachus.

Management

spontaneous resolution does not occur. Surgical correction is usually impossible.

Etiology and pathogenesis

enteritis and diarrhea in calves are major causes of death in the first few weeks of life. A wide range of agents can be involved, some producing diarrhea with or without dehydration, others leading to systemic involvement. Diarrhea in the first few days of life is commonly caused by bacterial infections, for example, E. coli or Clostridium perfringens. Their toxins lead to hypersecretion from the intestine and subsequent fluid loss, seen as diarrhea. Viral infections (rotavirus and coronavirus) and Cryptosporidia typically occur at 10–14 days (as maternal colostral antibody wanes), and are considered the major causes of calf scour. Diarrhea occurs because the intestinal wall is damaged, preventing resorption of fluid. Salmonella scouring can occur at any age.

The role of other agents (e.g., parvovirus, Breda virus, a calici-like virus, and astrovirus, BVD, and IBR viruses) in the calf scour syndrome has not been well defined.

Management

hygiene, colostrum, and good feeding practices are very important for control. Vaccines are available against E. coli, rotavirus, coronavirus, and Salmonella. It is not possible to differentiate fully between the various causes of scour on the basis of gross appearance and clinical signs alone, although the following illustrations give a few guidelines.