Umbilical Care in Newborn Animals: The Safe Alternative to Iodine

Vetericyn Super 7+ iodine-free umbilical care for newborn livestock, proven effective in modern farming.A healthy start begins with proper umbilical care. In newborn animals such as calves, lambs, piglets and foals, the umbilical cord is one of the most critical entry points for bacteria during the first hours of life¹. Effective umbilical care is therefore not a minor routine, but a key preventive measure in professional breeding and livestock management.

Across Europe, farmers and breeders are increasingly looking for a safe and effective alternative to iodine. In this article, we explain why—and how Super 7+ plays a proven role in modern umbilical care.

Why Umbilical Care Is So Important

After birth, the umbilical stump remains temporarily open. Through this opening, pathogens can enter the body and lead to navel infections, joint infections, or systemic illness². Research shows that dipping the navel significantly reduces the risk of infection³.

Effective umbilical care is not just about disinfection, but also about:

• Rapid drying of the umbilical cord
• Avoiding tissue irritation
• Clear visibility after application

These factors are essential for a strong start in the first days of life.

Why Iodine Is Increasingly Avoided

Traditionally, 7% iodine tincture has been widely used for umbilical dipping. However, this approach has clear drawbacks:

• Risk of skin irritation for animals and handlers
• Strong odour and corrosive properties
• Increasing regulatory restrictions
• Often unsuitable for organic farming systems
• Less suitable for torn or shortened umbilical cords

Due to regulatory pressure and practical limitations, iodine-based products are being replaced by safer alternatives⁴.

What Is Super 7+?

Super 7+ is an alkaline, hypertonic umbilical care solution based on electrolytically activated water. It is specifically developed to dry the umbilical cord extremely fast, without the use of iodine.

Key characteristics:

• Alkaline pH (approximately 11–12.5)
• Hypertonic action that draws moisture away from microorganisms
• Rapid drying visible immediately after application
• Non-irritating and non-corrosive
• No withdrawal period
• Bio-approved
• 100% care product (not a veterinary medicinal product)

How Does Super 7+ Work?

The hypertonic and alkaline properties of Super 7+ actively remove moisture from:

• the umbilical tissue
• bacteria and other microorganisms

As a result:

• the umbilical cord dries faster than with iodine
• bacterial growth is effectively reduced
• surrounding tissue remains intact and undamaged⁵

Controlled evaluations have shown that Super 7+ achieves faster drying times than traditional 7% iodine, without signs of tissue irritation⁶.

Practical Use in the Field

Super 7+ is suitable for use in:

• Dairy cattle (calves)
• Sheep (lambs)
• Pigs (piglets)
• Horses (foals)

Application guidelines:

• One application is sufficient
• Two applications provide extra security, especially in high-risk births
• Suitable for torn or damaged umbilical cords
• Can be applied in cases of (early-stage) umbilical hernia
• Results are visibly noticeable after application

Super 7+ Versus Iodine

Compared to iodine-based products, Super 7+ offers clear advantages:

• No staining of hands or clothing
• No harsh fumes
• No corrosive effects on equipment
• Lower risk of irritation
• Improved safety for staff
• Suitable for both conventional and organic farms

Super 7+ represents a modern, future-proof approach to umbilical care in newborn animals.

More breeders are switching to iodine-free solutions like Super 7+ for safe umbilical care in newborn animals.

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Frequently Asked Questions (Snippet-Optimised)

What is a safe alternative to iodine for umbilical dipping?
An alkaline, hypertonic solution such as Super 7+ that rapidly dries the umbilical cord without irritation.

How many times should the umbilical cord be treated?
One application is sufficient; two applications offer additional protection.

Is Super 7+ safe for newborn animals?
Yes. Super 7+ is non-irritating and specifically developed for neonatal animals⁶.

Conclusion

Proper umbilical care prevents health problems during the most vulnerable stage of life. Super 7+ provides a safe, effective and iodine-free alternative, with proven performance and broad applicability in modern livestock farming.

Sources

1. Leedstone. What Is a Navel Dip?
2. Varkens.nl. Shortening and dipping navels gives piglets a healthy start
3. University of Wisconsin. Calf Diseases and Prevention
4. Regulatory considerations on iodine use in livestock
5. Super 7+ internal product specification (pH and osmotic properties)
6. Auburn University. Evaluation of Super 7+ Navel Dip vs Iodine