Preventing umbilical infections through disinfection
Umbilical infections in calves are a problem on many farms and can have various causes. One way to reduce the incidence of umbilical infections is to disinfect the navel.
In newborn calves, the umbilical sheath does not close until within the first few days of life. This open connection acts as a gateway for germs to enter the body. If the umbilical cord is damp and warm, it provides ideal conditions for bacterial growth. Consequently, umbilical infections of varying severity can occur. In the worst-case scenario, an umbilical infection can develop into a systemic infection affecting the whole body. Lung and joint infections can also originate from an umbilical infection.
Umbilical disinfection is a preventive measure. It alone cannot compensate for poor hygiene conditions (e.g. in the calving pen or during calving assistance) or insufficient colostrum intake. As a general rule, hygiene is always paramount and has a major influence on the prevention of diseases, including umbilical inflammation. Bedding management plays a particularly important role. The straw bedding in the calf and calving areas should always be of the highest quality and regularly maintained by topping up, in order to provide the calves with dry and low-germ lying areas.
Recommendations for umbilical cord disinfection
As a general rule, you should handle the navel as little as possible. If this is necessary, you should only work whilst wearing clean gloves.
Timing and frequency
Umbilical cord disinfection should be carried out once, immediately after birth. In facilities with a high rate of umbilical cord infections, disinfection should be repeated the following day.
Disinfectants
Alcoholic iodine solutions or chlorhexidine solution promote the drying out of the umbilical cord and are therefore preferable to disinfection with PVP-iodine.
Procedure
You can either dip the umbilical cord into the liquid or spray it from all sides.
Spraying: Pour the disinfectant solution into a spray bottle and spray the umbilical cord on all sides. The advantage: the bottle is sealed and the liquid cannot become contaminated.
Dipping: For umbilical cord disinfection, use a dipping cup that is used exclusively in the calf area. Discard the pumped-up liquid after dipping. Change the liquid once a week.
What should be avoided at all costs?
Due to the open connection to the abdominal cavity, the ingress of disinfectant can cause damage to internal organs. The umbilical cord should therefore only be treated externally. Do not rub the disinfectant in or pour it into the umbilical cord. Blue spray is not suitable, as it delays the drying of the umbilical cord and contains antibiotics, the use of which must be strictly minimised to prevent the development of resistance.
Visual inspection of the navel
Regardless of umbilical disinfection, you should carry out a daily visual inspection of the navel during the first week of life, for example whilst feeding. Examine the navel in good lighting conditions and assess the presence of the umbilical cord, the degree to which it has dried, whether there is any visible swelling, and whether any fluid is leaking. If any abnormalities are detected during the visual inspection (see table) and the calf’s general condition or milk intake is impaired, a careful examination of the umbilical cord may be carried out. You should use clean gloves exclusively for this. When palpating the umbilical cord, you should check the diameter, consistency, increased warmth and tenderness. Excessive pressure can force secretions from the navel into the abdominal cavity or, via an inflamed umbilical vein, into the liver.
| Findings | Findings |
| Length of the umbilical cord | 1–2 hand-widths (approx. 19.5 cm ± 9.9 cm) |
| Dry umbilical cord | from the 4th day of life, in some cases not until the 7th day |
| Loss of the umbilical cord | At around 14 days of age |
| Umbilical cord diameter at the main navel | Approx. 2 cm after birth; shrinks over time; diameter between the 7th and 15th day of life varies from approx. 1 |
Signs of umbilical inflammation
- Swelling of the navel (thicker than a little finger)
- The navel is warm and firm
- Sensitivity to touch (arching of the back, kicking)
- Discharge from the navel (e.g. blood, pus, urine)
- Fever (over 39.5 °C)
- Poor general condition, reduced water intake
If one or more of these signs occur, a vet should be consulted.