Surgical management of large subcutaneous abscess by using seton in a dairy cow- A case report

Abstract

A one-year-old female 350kg Holstein Friesian crossbreed dairy cow was referred to the SAQ teaching veterinary hospital, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. The complaint was recorded as gradually swelling the right forelimb elbow area and formed a large mass from the last four weeks. On clinical examination, the cow had pyrexia, mild dehydration, and the elbow with knee joint of the right forelimb had swelling and pain on palpation. Weight-bearing lameness with a large pus-filled mass with inflammatory signs diagnosed on the affected limb through an aseptic needle aspiration. On the basis of clinical history, clinical examination, and subcutaneocentesis, the case was diagnosed as a subcutaneous abscess. A surgical operation was decided to correct the subcutaneous abscess. The animal was successfully treated by evacuating the pus and washed out with povidone iodine-impregnated gauge. Seton was placed into the cavity for preventing secondary closure and facilitating the drainage of pus and allowed for epithelialization and heal from the inside and parenteral administration of antibiotics, antihistaminic, NSAID. The cow successfully recovered after two weeks without any other complication.