Intas Polivet (2017) Vol.

18 (II): 384-385 Short Communication

Surgical Management of Atresia Ani in Calves

G.N. Chethan1, S.T. Maruthi2 and M.L. Bharath Kumar3
Veterinary Dispensary
Department of Animal Husbandry
Baragi, Tal. Gundlupet
Dist. Chamrajnagar - 571111 (Karnataka).

Abstract
Three new born calves were presented with history of non-passage of faeces and imperforate anus. Clinical examination
revealed variable signs of dullness, depression, restlessness, partial anorexia, attempt of defecation, straining, abdominal
distension and absence of anal opening (atresia ani) in all calves. Under local anaesthesia, reconstructive surgery was
performed. Routine post-operative care was provided and animals recovery uneventfully.
Keywords: Atresia ani; calf; congenital anomaly.

Introduction (Intacefa) antibiotic was given at the rate of 15 mg/kg

Atresia ani is a congenital malformation of
anorectum due to failure of urorectal fold to divide
the cloaca completely or failure of perforation of fetal
anal membranes that divides rectus and anus during
fetal development, this condition is inherited in an
autosomal recessive manner, but no candidate
genes have been found unlike pigs (Albarella et al.,
2017). Congenital anomalies require immediate
attention and correction, among this atresia ani is
non-exceptional. Because of amenability for surgery
this deformities could be corrected. This article
communicates atresia ani, treated successfully in
three calves.
Materials and Methods
Three calves were presented with history of recent
birth and non-passage of faeces and imperforate
anus (Fig.1). The affected calves were two females
(Jersey crossbred) and one male (Non-descript).
Clinical examination revealed variable signs of
dullness, depression, restlessness, partial anorexia,
attempts of defecation, straining, abdominal
distension and absence of anal opening in all calves.
Conjunctival mucus membrane was congested with
slight decreased capillary refill time. With the visual
inspection and above mentioned clinical signs the
cases was diagnosed as atresia ani. Ceftriaxone
1. Veterinary Officer and Corresponding author.
E-mail: chethu705@gmail.com
2. Veterinary Officer, Doddaballapura Milk Dairy
3. Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Dispensary, Kembalu
a - Brand of Intas Animal Health, Ahmedabad
b - Brand of Neon Laboratories Ltd., Mumbai
c - Brand of Cipla Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Mumbai
b.wt. intravenously as a prophylactic antibiotic before
half an hour to surgery. Pre-emptive analgesia was
provided with Meloxicam (Melonexa) at the rate of
0.2 mg/kg b. wt. intravenously. Local anaesthesia
was achieved by infiltration of 2% Lignocaine
hydrochloride (Loxb) solution subcutaneously around
the surgical site. Affected animals were restrained
on lateral recumbency, with raised hindquarter to
avoid staining. Perineal region was shaved and
prepared aseptically. A plus (+) shaped incision was
made over the skin where the bulging was observed
on abdominal compression. The perineal muscles
were dissected bluntly. The blind end of rectum was
identified, exteriorized to level of anus and anchored
to skin with stay sutures using silk material. Rectum
was incised, which voided meconium on abdominal
compression (Fig. 2). The rectum wall and skin were
sutured together with simple interrupted technique
using braided silk. The constructed anal was
douched with normal saline and smeared Povidone
iodine (Cipladinec) ointment. Routine post-operative
care was provided for five days with Ceftriaxone
(Intacefa) @ 15 mg/kg b.wt. intravenously twice a
day and Meloxicam (Melonexa) @ 0.3 mg/kg b.wt.
subcutaneously once a day. The skin sutures were
removed on 14th post-operative day.
Results and Discussion
The history and physical examination findings in
calves with intestinal atresia frequently were similar
to Kilic and Sarierler (2004) reports. In the present
study, all animals were diagnosed as type 1 atresia
with mucosal blockage within intestine lumen,
without involving other intestinal deformities as

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Fig. 1: Calves with atresia ani Fig. 2: Voiding of faeces after surgical correction

suggested by Kilic and Sarierler (2004). Type I
atresia was diagnosed and confirmed by physical
examination, with bulging of perianal region after
application of mild pressure over flank region. The
animals showed marked improvement by 3-4th day
and completely recovered by 11-13th day of post-
surgery without further complications. The sutures
were removed after complete healing of wound. The
surgical and anaesthesia techniques are based on
intensity of agenesis involved. Epidural and systemic
anaesthesia may also be followed for higher degree
of atresia with other deformities and for associated
vaginal fistulous condition (Kamalakar et al., 2015;
Phiri et al., 2016). But for atresia type I local infiltration
is sufficient to conduct the surgery smoothly. To
maintain the patency tubular plastic and syringe
material were placed in rectum lumen as suggested
by Kamalakar et al. (2015). To conclude,
reconstructive surgery is the only treatment for
correcting atresia ani and success of surgery also
depends on severity of multiple deformities. Though
the treated animals may recover eventfully but further
breeding of animal was not recommended
(Kamalakar et al., 2015; Simon et al., 2010; Phiri et
al., 2016).
References
Albarella, S., Ciotola, F., D’Anza, E., Coletta, A., Zicarelli, L.
and Peretti, V. (2017). Congenital malformations in river
buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Animals 7: 9.
Kamalakar, G., Devaratnam, J., Brahmaji, R. and Jyothsna,
B. (2015). Congenital atresia ani associated with recto-
vaginal fistula in Ongole calf. J. Livestock Sci. 6: 80-84.
Kilic, N. and Sarierler, M. (2004). Congenital intestinal
atresia in calves: 61 Cases (1999-03). Revue. Méd. Vét.
155: 381-84.
Phiri, A.M., Sakala, M. and Soko, J. (2016). Management
of atresia ani with concurrent hypospadias and penile
aplasia in a 3-day-old calf. Int. J. Livestock Res. 6: 98-103.
Simon, S.M., Justin, B. William and Kannan, T.A. (2010).
Atresia Ani along with hamartoma in a calf. Intas Polivet.
11: 239-40.

West Indies Veterinary Conference

3-8th November’ 2018
St. Kitts, West Indies
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