Surgical Management of Congenital Defects in Ruminants -A Clinical Study of 109 Animals

A total of 109 ruminants with 24 different congenital defects were presented for correction over a period of eight years (2006–2013). Overall incidence of congenital defects was 0.21% with highest incidence in cattle followed by buffalo, goats and sheep. Among these animals, 59 were males, 45 were females and 5 were hermaphrodites. Musculoskeletal affections were highest (39), followed by uro-genital system (34), gastrointestinal tract (20), sensory organs (10), nervous system (2) and miscellaneous (monsters-4). Surgical intervention was undertaken in 70 affected animals and 8 mothers. 31 cases did not warrant surgical intervention either because of their non interference with normal functionality or being a lethal condition. Highest incidence was observed with umbilical hernia followed by artesia ani, variation in number of teats, contracted tendons, cryptorchid, fetal monsters, etc. Bilateral convergent strabismus, congenital melanoma, bilateral fetal hydronephrosis, carpel flexion, recto-vaginal fistula (with atresia vagina) were also recorded.