Abstract

An abscess is a localized pocket of pus that forms in tissues, organs, or spaces within the body as a natural defense mechanism against infection or foreign substances. Dorsal cervical abscesses are a common occurrence in cattle, often sequel to bacterial infections or traumatic injuries. This case study presents the successful surgical management of a large dorsal cervical abscess in a five-year-old white Fulani bull. The bull presented with a large, fluctuant swelling on the dorsal aspect of the neck, which was causing significant discomfort and restricting its Appetite for feed. The abscess was surgically lanced on the dependent part and the entire contented was drained and debrided, postoperative management was carried out with penicillin-streptomycin antibiotic and charmil® plus ointment leading to a successful resolution of the infection and a complete recovery of the bull after four weeks post-surgery. This case highlights the importance of effective surgical intervention in the management of large dorsal cervical abscesses in cattle.

Key words: Abscess, surgical management, bull, antibiotics