Duodenal ulceration in a cow associated with left displacement of the abomasum

Herniation of the gravid uterus through a mesoduodenal defect and concurrent omental hernia in a cow

OBJECTIVES

To describe surgical treatment of herniation of the gravid uterus through the mesoduodenum, displacement of the descending duodenum around the gravid uterus, and concurrent herniation of the small and large intestines into the omental bursa in a cow.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical report.

ANIMAL

Three-year-old, five-month-pregnant Swiss Braunvieh cow.

METHODS

Repositioning of the displaced uterus and descending duodenum without transection and anastomosis of the duodenum was performed through a right flank laparotomy. Concurrent displacement of a large portion of the small and large intestines into the omental bursa was not associated with intestinal strangulation and was corrected manually. The defects in the omentum and mesoduodenum were sutured.

RESULTS

There were no postoperative complications, and the cow was healthy at discharge from the clinic 1 week after surgery. Telephone follow-up revealed that the cow had delivered a live calf and was producing a normal amount of milk. The cow was slaughtered 14 months after the surgery because of an udder problem.

CONCLUSIONS

Herniation of the gravid uterus through a tear in the mesoduodenum with subsequent displacement of the descending duodenum around the uterus combined with internal omental herniation caused nonspecific clinical signs and no ileus. Exploratory laparotomy in an early stage of pregnancy facilitated reduction of the displaced uterus without transection of the descending duodenum.

Strangulation of the duodenum by the uterus during late pregnancy in two cows

Two Swiss Braunvieh cows in late pregnancy underwent surgery because of a rare form of ileus due to strangulation of the duodenum at its caudal flexure by the gravid uterus. The whole uterus had passed through a gap between the mesoduodenum and duodenum and with increasing weight had led to strangulation of the duodenum. This was possible since the mesoduodenum and both walls of the greater omentum adjacent to its caudal edge were not connected with the duodenum, probably due to a congenital inhibitory malformation. A transsection and an end-to-end anastomosis of the duodenum were necessary in both cases since it was impossible to retract the gravid uterus through the defect. Postoperative recovering was uneventful in both cows, which were discharged after seven and five days respectively and calved normally about two months later.

Duodeno-abomasal reflux in cows with abomasal displacement

The aim of this study was to investigate abomaso-duodenal digesta transport during abomasal displacement and after surgical correction of the abomasum, using intra-abomasal bile acid concentration. In healthy cows, bile acids were found in the abomasum, indicative of duodeno-abomasal reflux being a physiological event. In cows with left abomasal displacement (LDA), right abomasal displacement (RDA) and abomasal volvolus (AV), abomasal bile acid concentration was significantly higher than in healthy control cows. This was found to be true during surgery, on the first day as well as on the third day after surgery. Abomasal bile acid concentration was significantly different between LDA, RDA and AV, with LDA, RDA and AV showing lowest, intermediate and highest values respectively. In those with LDA and RDA, abomasal bile acid concentration significantly increased from surgery to first day after surgery, and decreased from first to third day after surgery. In AV cows, however, bile acid concentration declined constantly from surgery to third day after surgery. These findings indicate pathological duodeno-abomasal reflux during abomasal displacement and after surgical correction of the abomasum. Reflux seems to differ between forms of displacement (LDA < RDA < AV) and during recovery. Pathological duodeno-abomasal reflux is discussed as a consequence of functional and/or mechanical impediments on abomaso-duodenal digesta transport during abomasal displacement and after surgical correction of the abomasum.

Abomasal displacement in the bovine--a review on character, occurrence, aetiology and pathogenesis

Literature on the subject of character, history, occurrence, causes and pathogenesis of abomasal displacement in the bovine is listed and summarized. The chapter on occurrence is subdivided according to heritibility, sex, age, season, husbandry, milk yield and concomitant diseases. In the chapter on causes special consideration is given to feeding. The chapter on pathogenesis is subdivided according to mechanical influences, disturbances of the abomasal motor activity, collection of gas and dilatation of the abomasum and artificial displacement of the abomasum. Displacement of the abomasum is seen predominantly in the spring in herds with above-average milk yield in dairy cows between the age of 4 and 7 years which have calved within the last month and have ketosis. The etiology and pathogenesis of abomasal displacement are unclear.