Development of clinical sign-based scoring system for assessment of omphalitis in neonatal calves

Steerforth, D; Van Winden, S C L

Abstract

Omphalitis contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in neonatal calves. Diagnosis of omphalitis is based on the local signs of inflammation—pain, swelling, local heat and purulent discharge. An abattoir trial identified an optimal, sign-based, scoring system for diagnosis of omphalitis. A sample of 187 calves aged between 7 and 15 days old were clinically examined for signs of umbilical inflammation and compared with postmortem examination of navels. On postmortem findings, 64 calves (34.2 per cent) had omphalitis. In the examined omphalitis cases, the most commonly affected umbilical structure was the urachus (78.1 per cent). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that thickening of the umbilical stump over 1.3?cm (P

Citation

Steerforth, D., & Van Winden, S. C. L. (2018). Development of clinical sign-based scoring system for assessment of omphalitis in neonatal calves. Veterinary Record, https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104213

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 19, 2018
• Publication Date: Feb 19, 2018
• Deposit Date: Mar 10, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 10, 2018
• Journal: Veterinary Record
• Print ISSN: 0042-4900
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104213
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1388543