Duodenal obstruction caused by malposition of the gallbladder in a heifer

Duodenoduodenostomy for obstruction of the sigmoid flexure of the duodenum in cattle

OBJECTIVE

To describe clinical findings, surgical treatment, and outcome associated with duodenoduodenostomy for treatment of duodenal obstruction secondary to adhesions associated with the sigmoid flexure of the duodenum.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study (1996-2016).

ANIMALS

Fourteen Holstein cattle.

METHODS

Medical records of cows treated at 3 academic surgical referral centers with duodenoduodenostomy for duodenal obstruction secondary to adhesions associated with the sigmoid flexure of the duodenum were reviewed. Data that were collected included signalment, physical examination results, laboratory results, diagnostic findings, treatments, and survival to discharge. Owners were contacted for follow-up information.

RESULTS

Affected cattle ranged in age from 4 months to 5 years. Electrolyte abnormalities, including severe hypochloremia, were present in all cases. Abnormalities included cranial duodenal distension without concurrent distension of the descending duodenum and palpable focal adhesions in the region of the sigmoid flexure of the duodenum. Duodenoduodenostomy involved a stapled (n = 11) or sutured (n = 3) side-to-side anastomosis between the cranial duodenum and descending duodenum. Thirteen of 14 cattle that were treated with duodenoduodenostomy survived to hospital discharge. Long-term follow-up was available in 8 cows, and 7 of those 8 survived for at least 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Short- and long-term survival were favorable after duodenoduodenostomy in cattle with adhesions associated with the sigmoid flexure of the duodenum.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Duodenoduodenostomy results in acceptable survival and future productivity in cows with obstruction at the sigmoid flexure of the duodenum.

Surgical Management of Abomasal and Small Intestinal Disease

A bovine practitioner should master abdominal exploratory surgery (laparotomy). Several gastrointestinal (GI) problems require surgical correction to save the animal's life and to keep it in production. This article reviews the surgical preparation, procedures, and the postoperative care of several conditions affecting the GI tract of cattle.

Cholecystectomy in a heifer

A 10-month-old female Japanese black heifer presenting with sudden loss of appetite was diagnosed with extreme extension of the gallbladder. Laparotomy reaching from the right part of the 10th rib to the right flank showed an extended gallbladder greater than 50 cm in diameter. Cholecystectomy was performed as follows: 1) complete removal of the gallbladder distally from the base; 2) flushing via a catheter inserted into the common bile duct; and 3) covering of the hole opened in the common bile duct with a double-suturing method using the mucous membrane and muscular layers of the remaining gallbladder structures. Serum levels of total bilirubin gradually decreased from 7.5 mg/dl preoperatively to 4.7 mg/dl, 1.6 mg/dl and 0.6 mg/dl at 3, 8 and 34 days postoperatively, respectively. The heifer showed 1 month of clinical improvements, grew normally and finally became pregnant. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first clinical report to describe cholecystectomy in cattle.

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.

Ultrasonography of the gastrointestinal tract in cattle

Ultrasonography is an ideal diagnostic tool for investigating gastrointestinal disorders in cattle. In animals with traumatic reticuloperitonitis, inflammatory fibrinous changes and abscesses can be imaged. Ultrasonography can be used to assess the size, position, and contents of the abomasum. This article describes the ultrasonographic techniques used for examination of the reticulum, rumen, omasum, abomasum, small intestine, and large intestine. The normal findings are presented followed by a description of the most important diseases of these organs.

Intestinal surgery of adult cattle

Surgical disorders of the gastrointestinal tract of cattle occur occasionally, and veterinarians are challenged to determine an accurate diagnosis and treatment for these conditions. Although surgical diseases most commonly occur in the forestomachs (dislocated abomasum, reticuloperitonitis) and the colons (cecal dilation), this article focuses n lesions in the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum).