A Retrospective Study on the Prevalence and Surgical Management of Umbilical Infections in Calves in West Azerbaijan, Iran

Objective Umbilical infections are a prevalent worldwide health concern in calves. The prevalence and surgical management of umbilical infections in calves were investigated in this study. Animals A total of 238 calves with umbilical infections. Methods Medical records of 238 cases of umbilical infections in calves managed under either range conditions or in smallholder semi‐industrial systems in West Azerbaijan, Iran, between March 1998 and July 2020 were analyzed. Data on husbandry type, breed, sex, age, and surgical outcomes were collected in this clinical retrospective study. Results The prevalence of umbilical infections among calves was 8.66%. The frequency of infections in the external portion of the umbilicus was comparable to that of infections involving the intra‐abdominal portion. Umbilical abscess was the most common infection in the external portion, while urachus infection predominated in the intra‐abdominal portion of the umbilical remnants. Omphalitis was the least frequent infection observed in the newborns and omphaloarteritis was the least common pathology of the umbilical remnants. Calves under the range system had a significantly higher prevalence of umbilical infections compared to those in the semi‐industrial system. The frequency of the infection was not affected by gender or breeds. Conclusion Umbilical infection occurred with higher prevalence in calves under 13 weeks of age. The calves managed under range condition exhibited a higher prevalence of the infections with no breed‐ or gender‐related differences. Surgical management was highly successful in treating the affected calves.