title: Short communication: The effect of 4 antiseptic compounds on umbilical cord healing and infection rates in the first 24 hours in dairy calves from a commercial herd.
abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the effect of 4 antiseptic compounds on the healing rate and incidence of infection of umbilical cords in newborn calves (n=60). Late gestation Jersey cows were monitored at a commercial farm (Sioux Jersey, Salix, IA) and newborn purebred (n=30) and crossbred (n=30) calves were obtained within 30min after birth. Calves were alternately assigned by birth order to 4 treatment groups: 7% tincture of iodine, 0.1% chlorine created using a novel chlorine disinfectant technology, chlorohexidine gluconate 4.0% wt/vol, and 10% trisodium citrate. Prior to dipping (within 30min of birth), diameter of the umbilical cords (as an indicator of cord drying and healing) were determined using digital calipers. In addition, as an indicator of umbilical infections, surface temperature of the umbilical stump (along with a reference point at the midpoint of the sternum) was determined using a dual-laser infrared thermometer. These measurements were all repeated at 24±1 h of age. All data were analyzed using mixed model methods. All models included fixed effects of breed (Jersey or Jersey cross), sex (bull or heifer), and treatment. Fixed effect interactions were not included in the statistical model due to the relatively small sample size. No treatment differences were noted for healing rate of umbilical cords. Initially, mean umbilical cord diameter was 22.84±3.89mm and cords healed to a mean diameter of 7.64±4.12mm at 24 h of age. No umbilical infections were noted for calves on any treatment during the course of this study. Mean surface temperature of the umbilical stump was 33.1±2.2°C at birth (1.5±1.6°C higher than the sternal reference temperature), and at 24±1 h of age the mean temperature of the umbilical stump was 33.0±4.3°C (0.5±1.8°C lower than the sternal reference temperature). These data suggest that these antiseptic compounds are equally effective for preventing infections and permitting healing of the umbilical cord when used within 30min of birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames 50011. Electronic address: afordyce@iastate.edu.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Timms
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Stalder
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Tyler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002951:Citrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002951:Citrates; C514290:trisodium citrate; D007455:Iodine; D002710:Chlorhexidine
keywords: antiseptic compound; calves; umbilical cord