Oral commissural reconstruction in a buffalo calf with congenital defects

Abstract

A two days old buffalo calf was presented with the congenital malformation of the oral commissures in a calf. The buccal muscles were not fused on both sides resulting in to the extension of oral commissures up to the first premolar tooth. The animal was not able to hold the tongue in the oral cavity proper and it was protruded out from the either side of the defect. The animal was unable to suckle and dull and depressed. Surgical reconstruction of the bilateral defect was done under sedation with diazepam (1 ml i.v.) and local infiltration of lignocaine (2%) at the site of repair. The wound was closed in a routine manner. Postoperatively, antibiotic was administered parentally for three consecutive days and antiseptic ointment was applied over the sutured wound edges till complete healing of the wound.