SURGICAL CORRECTION OF CONGENITAL ATRESIA ANI IN A BOVINE NEONATAL CALF

A three-day-old femalebovine calf was presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex with a history of inability to pass faeces since birth, progressive abdominal distension, straining, and restlessness. Clinical examination revealed complete absence of an anal opening with a soft fluctuant swelling beneath the perineal skin, suggestive of congenital atresia ani. Surgical correction was performed under caudal epidural anaesthesia using a cruciate skin incision over the expected anal region. The blind rectal pouch was identified, mobilized, and sutured to the skin using simple interrupted sutures before creating the anal opening. Meconium was evacuated immediately after surgery. Postoperative treatment included broad-spectrum antibiotics, analgesics, and daily wound care. The calf was able to defecate normally during follow-up and recovered uneventfully. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention resulted in a favourable outcome.