Surgical Management of Tail Gangrene in Buffalo: A Clinical Case Report

Abstract

An eight-year-old female buffalo was presented with a history of progressive tail infection characterised by sloughing of the superficial skin, swelling, drying of the distal tail portion and poor response to previous antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic wound management. Clinical examination revealed black discolouration, non-bleeding lesions and painful, non-viable tissue involving the distal portion of the tail, while the general clinical parameters, feeding, watering and mucous membrane colour were apparently normal. Based on the clinical signs and gross appearance of the affected tissue, the case was diagnosed as tail gangrene. Surgical amputation of the affected tail segment was performed under caudal epidural anaesthesia using 2% lignocaine hydrochloride. The tail was aseptically prepared, a tourniquet was applied proximally and amputation was carried out at a level proximal to the necrotic tissue. Haemostasis was achieved by ligation of the coccygeal arteries, followed by skin closure with interrupted sutures and antiseptic dressing. Post-operatively, the animal received antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic therapy, along with regular wound dressing using povidone iodine. The sutures were removed after two weeks, and the surgical wound showed satisfactory healing. This case indicates that timely diagnosis, surgical intervention and appropriate post-operative wound care can support favourable clinical recovery in buffaloes affected by tail gangrene.