The Indian Veterinary Journal (June, 2016) 65 Indian Vet. J., June 2016, 93 (06) : 65 - 67 Omphalitis (Naval ill) in Buffalo Calf: Two Case studies G. K. Sawale 1 , H.Y. Pallampalle, N.M. Jaybhaye, D.S. Gavhane, R.J. Patil and S.D. Moregaonkar Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bombay Veterinary College, Western Express Highway, Near Mahananda Dairy, Goregaon, Mumbai-400065, (MAFSU, Nagpur). (Received : 18-06-2015; Accepted : 03-08-2015) Abstract Omphalitis (Naval ill) was diagnosed in two male buffalo calves aged 15 days and one month, respectively. Necropsy examination revealed tennis ball size saccular dilation at umbilicus in one calf and slightly larger sac in another calf. Detail necropsy examination revealed whitish-creamy coloured pus in the umbilicus in both the cases. One month calf also showed small multiple grey whitish areas on the liver, endocardium, myocardium and pneumonia. Fifteen day old calf showed septicaemic changes with pneumonia in addition to omphalitis- phlebitis. Microscopically, severe omphalitis, acute alveolar pneumonia and septicemic changes were observed in both the cases. Key words: Buffalo calf, omphalitis, Report Infection of the umbilicus commonly called as naval ill occurs in new born farm animals (Radostits, et al., 1997). In ninety per cent of the cases, the umbilicus and naval cord dries up by four days of age. However, infec- tion of the umbilicus soon after birth results in omphalitis, omphalophlebitis, omphaloarteritis or infection of the urachus (Radostits, et al., loc cit). The present paper describes the naval ill (Omphalitis and ophalophlebitis) in two buffalo calf. Materials and Methods Two male Murrah buffalo calves, one of fteen days and another of one month age were presented to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bombay Veterinary College, Mumbai for necropsy examination. Detailed necropsy was conducted and gross lesions were recorded. Affected portion of organs were collected in 10 per cent formalin, processed and sections of 4 to 6 µm were cut and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin staining for histopathological exami- nation (Kim Suvarna et al., 2013). Umbilical content and smear made from the content were collected and processed for Gram’s staining to rule out the bacterial infections. Results and Discussion The naval infection was diagnosed in two male buffalo calves on the basis of gross lesions. Clini- cally, both the calves showed swelling at umbili- cus with pain on palpation, fever, anorexia, dullness, and respiratory distress before death. The clinical signs observed in the present cases were akin to those observed by Radostits et al. (loc. cit) and Ganga Naik et al. (2011). Necropsy examination younger showed saccular dilation of umbilicus which was of tennis ball size (Fig. 1). On cut section at umbilicus, creamy coloured exudate discharged through the opening. Naval cord showed blackish disco- louration. Lungs were congested with multiple, variable sized abscesses (Fig. 2). Multiple grey-white necrotic areas were observed on the surface of the endocardium and myocardium and liver. Similarly, Radostits et al. (loc cit,) and Hathaway et al. (1993) were of the opinion that the majority of the infection progresses to the site beyond the umbilicus. Necropsy examination elder revealed saccular dilatation of umbilicus containing pus (Fig. 3). Umbilical vein was thickened and contained pus. Numerous ticks were also present on body, particularly in inguinal region, inner surface of thigh and legs (Fig. 3). The ticks were identied as Rhiphicephalus microplus. Interestingly, the calf was treated for ticks with topical application of amitraz spray four days back. However, the ticks were alive at the time of necropsy and indicated drug resistance 1 Corresponding author : Email : gk_sawale@yahoo.com