Bovine enucleation: A retrospective study of 53 cases (1998-2006)

Medical records of 53 cattle undergoing enucleation (1998-2006) were reviewed. Assessments of the outcomes were done via client surveys. Descriptive statistics were generated on the affected population, the underlying disease, the complications, and the length of retention within the herd. Hereford cattle comprised the majority of the cases (30/53; 57%). Most cattle (84.9%) were diagnosed with ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Follow-up information was available for 22 cattle. Para-orbital infection was documented in 10 of 53 cattle (19%). Five cattle died of various causes 2 months to several years after enucleation. One cow was culled due to recurrence of OSCC. Fifteen cattle were retained within their respective herds. This study documents that orbital infections are common, and recurrence of OSCC is infrequent in cattle having undergone enucleation.