CLINICAL VETERINARY SURGERY VIDEO SERIES- SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF DEEP SEATED CHRONIC SUB MANDIBULAR ABSCESS IN A COW

Sub mandibular abscess is not uncommon in cows .Generally abscess get matured in due course of time .Hot fomentation, topical iodine preparation and poultice can hasten the abscess. Which discharges the contents as liquid pus. Pus matures through serous, sero-sanguine , mucous and liquefactive stages. Thick inspissated pus is a characteristic of chronic abscess . Sub-mandibular abscess can either open outside or inside oral cavity. Sub mandibular abscess can also lead to ranula and sub mandibular salivary gland infections. Chronic abscess can get fibrosed leading to hard circumscribed mass pressing the adnexa leading to pressure necrosis of vital structures. 

Surgical excision is indicated for chronic hard fibrosis induced  abscess which when left un attended can lead to functional impairment to the part involved.  

Standing surgeries can be challenging in field but the use of Xylazine Butorphanol Ketamine (XBK) combination at 0.05,0.25 and 0.1 mg/ kg bw gives excellent standing analgesia .Dose of xylazne can be further reduced to half and proportional variation with ketamine and butorphanol in pregnant cows .

PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO OF A CASE OF CHRONIC DEEP SEATED SUB MANDIBULAR ABSCESS IN A COW.