Abstract

Tail necrosis in buffaloes is an important clinical condition that compromises animal welfare and productivity. The tail plays a vital role in thermoregulation and insect deterrence and injuries, if neglected, may progress to necrosis and gangrene due to trauma, frostbite, infection, vascular compromise or nutritional disorders such as Degnala disease. The present report describes four cases of tail necrosis in buffaloes and their successful management by surgical intervention. Four adult female buffaloes aged 4–7 years were presented with foul-smelling discharge, tissue sloughing, black discoloration and non-bleeding necrotic lesions of the distal tail. Two cases were trauma-induced, one was attributed to frostbite and one to chronic fly strike with secondary bacterial infection. Clinical examination confirmed non-viable and painful tissue distal to the mid-coccygeal vertebra. Surgical amputation was performed under caudal epidural anesthesia using 2% lignocaine hydrochloride (0.2 mg/kg). Standard aseptic preparation, proximal tourniquet and ligation of coccygeal vessels with absorbable sutures were followed by cruciate silk skin sutures. Postoperative therapy included ceftriaxone, meloxicam, daily antiseptic dressing and fly repellents. All animals recovered uneventfully, sutures were removed on Day 10 and complete wound healing was achieved by Day 14 without complications. These outcomes align with earlier studies that advocate prompt surgical management of tail gangrene in bovines (Dhillon et al., 2006; Jena and Sahoo, 2014; Patil et al., 2020; Nuss and Feist, 2011). Conservative dressings may help in mild cases, but advanced necrosis necessitates surgical amputation to prevent ascending infection, osteomyelitis and systemic illness. In conclusion, early diagnosis and surgical amputation under regional anesthesia provide favorable outcomes in buffaloes with tail necrosis. This approach, combined with appropriate wound care and antimicrobial therapy, ensures complete recovery, enhances animal welfare and maintains productivity.

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