Short communication: The effect of novel antiseptic compounds on umbilical cord healing and incidence of infection in dairy calves.

The goal of dipping the umbilical cord after birth in calves is to promote healing of the umbilical stump, prevent infection, and encourage the umbilical tissue to detach from the body. Treatment applied to the umbilical area is an important management step for preventing morbidity and mortality in calves. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of 4 umbilical dips on the healing rate, incidence of infection, and age at umbilical cord detachment using newborn Holstein heifer calves (n = 73). Calves were alternately assigned by birth order to 4 treatment groups: 7% iodine, a dry dip formulated using an antibacterial peptide (nisin) mixed with talc (3.105 g of nisin per 100 g of talcum powder on a weight per weight basis), liquid nisin (64 µg/mL), and 4% chlorhexidine mixed with alcohol in a 50:50 solution. Umbilical cords were dipped 30 min after birth. Before initial dipping, umbilical cord diameter (as an indicator of the rate of cord drying and healing rate) was determined using a digital caliper. The caliper measurements were repeated at 24 ± 1, 48 ± 1, and 72 ± 1 h (±standard deviation) of age and were continued daily until the umbilical cord healed and detached from the animal's body. Diagnosed umbilical infections were documented by veterinary staff based on a combination of clinical symptoms (redness, swelling, purulent discharge, painful response (flinch or kicking) to palpation of the umbilical stump) in addition to a lack of appetite and fever. Data were analyzed using MIXED model procedures with fixed effect of umbilical treatment. No treatment differences were noted between dips on the umbilical cord drying rate or days for umbilical cord to detach. Treatment effects were observed on incidence of umbilical infection (incidence of infection for calves across all treatments was 9.0%).

Purulent necrotic dislocation of the hip joint associated with umbilical infection in a foal.

A 42-day-old heavy draft horse fell into sudden astasia. Significant swelling and heat sensation of the left femoral region were observed. Because of a friction sound in the left hip, we supposed that the hip joint was dislocated or the hip bone was fractured. Computed Tomography (CT) examination showed that the left hip joint was dislocated and the left femoral head was disjunct. We carried out a pathological autopsy, and made a diagnosis of the foal as fracture of the hip bone and femoral head with suppurative umbilical arteritis. Pathologic changes in the umbilical artery and hind leg were completely unilateral, suggesting that left umbilical arteritis spread to the blood circulation, causing arthritis and dislocation of the hip bone.

CTX-M-15 Producing Escherichia coli Sequence Type 361 and Sequence Type 38 Causing Bacteremia and Umbilical Infection in a Neonate Foal.

An eighteen-hour-old Tennessee walking horse foal was referred due to weakness and abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed dehydration, distended abdomen, and uveitis. Blood analysis revealed leukopenia, neutrophils' toxicity and left shift. The foal developed bloody diarrhea, gastric reflux, and was diagnosed with sepsis and enterocolitis. The foal was treated with intravenous fluids, plasma, antibiotics (ceftriaxone and metronidazole), partial parenteral nutrition (dextrose and amino acids), flunixin meglumine, and ophthalmic drops. Umbilical ultrasound revealed a fluid pocket adjacent to the umbilical vein; therefore, omphalectomy was performed. Umbilicus and blood were cultured. Results recovered two multidrug-resistant extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli clones, identified as ST38 (umbilicus) and ST361 (blood), harboring two different plasmids encoding blaCTX-M-15. Antibiotic treatment was replaced with imipenem and amikacin, but the foal deteriorated and was euthanized. Postmortem investigation revealed severe ulcerative enteritis, a perforation site and acute renal infarcts. Sepsis due to several different ESBL-producing E. coli strains should be considered, investigated, and treated accordingly.

Bovine peritonitis associated with Mannheimia haemolytica serotype 2 in a three-day-old Japanese Black calf.

A Japanese Black calf became dehydrated on the first day of life and died on the third day. Gross examination revealed a large amount of yellowish-brown serous fluid in the abdominal cavity and whitish-yellow fibrin in the serosa of the abdominal organs. Patchy red spots were observed throughout the peritoneum, and the outer membrane of the umbilical arteries was dark red. Bacteriologically, Mannheimia haemolytica serotype 2 was isolated from the umbilical arteries and vein, liver, and kidney. Histopathology revealed inflammation with M. haemolytica serotype 2 in the outer membrane of the umbilical arteries and in the serosa of the bladder and intestinal tract. This is the first case of bovine peritonitis with histopathologic and immunohistochemical identification of M. haemolytica.

Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Hospitalized Neonatal Foals: Prevalence, Risk Factors for Shedding and Association with Infection.

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) have been investigated in adult horses, but not in foals. We aimed to determine shedding and infection in neonatal foals and mares. Rectal swabs were sampled from mare and foal pairs on admission and on the 3rd day of hospitalization; enriched, plated, and bacteria were verified for ESBL production. Identification and antibiotic susceptibility profiles were determined (Vitek2). Genotyping was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Genes were identified by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Medical data were analyzed for risk factors (SPSS). On admission, 55 pairs were sampled, of which 33 pairs were re-sampled. Shedding rates on admission in foals and mares were 33% (95% CI 21-47%) and 16% (95% CI 8-29%), respectively, and during hospitalization, these increased significantly to 85% (95% CI 70-94%) and 58% (95% CI 40-73%), respectively. Foal shedding was associated with umbilical infection on admission (P = 0.016) and with ampicillin treatment during hospitalization (p = 0.011), and was independent of the mare's shedding. The most common ESBL-E was Escherichia coli. During hospitalization, species diversity increased. Four foals were infected with ESBL-E strains, including umbilical infections and wounds. This study substantiates an alarming prevalence of shedding in neonatal foals, which should be further investigated in order to reduce resistance rates.

Neonatal morbidity and mortality of 31 calves derived from somatic cloning.

BACKGROUND: The neonatal period is associated with high morbidity and mortality in cloned calves. OBJECTIVE: To describe morbidity and mortality in cloned calves from birth to 2 years of age. ANIMALS: Thirty-one somatic cell-derived Holstein calves delivered at a veterinary teaching hospital. METHODS: Medical files were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Four calves were stillborn. Five calves born alive had physical congenital defects. Twenty-three calves had an enlarged umbilical cord. Laboratory abnormalities included acidemia, respiratory acidosis, hyperlactatemia, anemia, stress leukogram, decreased total protein, albumin and globulins, and increased creatinine. Twenty-five calves survived the 1st hour of life. Among them, 11 stood without assistance within 6 hours of birth, 10 calves took longer than 6 hours to stand, and 4 never stood. Twenty-two calves suffered from anorexia. Twelve calves had complications arising from umbilical cord infections. Three calves developed idiopathic hyperthermia (>40°C). Eight calves suffered from gastrointestinal problems, including ruminal distension, abomasal ulcers, neonatal enteritis, intussusception, and abomasal displacement. Mortality between birth and 3 weeks of age was 32% (10/31). Causes of death and reasons for euthanasia included stillbirths, respiratory failure, and limb deformities. Mortality between 3 weeks and 2 years of age was 19% (4/21), with deaths in this group attributed to generalized peritonitis and complications arising from umbilical infections. Overall, mortality rate within 2 years of age was 14/31 (45%). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Respiratory problems, limb deformities, and umbilical infections were the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in these cloned calves.