Cecal Dilatation and Torsion Associated with Phytobezoar Obstruction in a Heifer

Authors

  • Mateus de Melo Lima Waterloo Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE
  • Saulo Romero Felix Gonçalves Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE
  • Ebla Lorena Sales de Araújo Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE
  • Gustavo Simões Lima Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE
  • Karoline Antunes de Albuquerque Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE
  • Pedro Paulo Feitosa de Albuquerque Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE
  • Huber Rizzo Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE
  • Andrea Alice da Fonseca Oliveira Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22456/1679-9216.101042

Abstract

Background: Dilatation of the cecum associated with intestinal torsion is a fermentative digestive disease that has a low occurrence in veterinary medicine, particularly in large animal practice. This condition is most prevalent in dairy cattle. The etiology of this digestive system disorder is related to changes in nutritional management. As it is an uncommon condition that is frequently observed in the practice of veterinary medicine, the objective of this report was to describe a case of dilatation and torsion of the cecum associated with phytobezoar obstruction in a heifer that was examined at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (HOVET-UFRPE), Recife, Brazil.
Case: A 55-day-old heifer, with a history of abdominal distension associated with difficulty feeding and neurological signs of hind limb paresis, intentional head tremors, and prostration, was examined at the HOVET-UFRPE large animal clinic.
A clinical examination demonstrated the presence of enophthalmos, abdominal distension, pale coloration of the ocular mucous membranes, and a moderate level of dehydration (3%). The dehydration was treated through the administration of 1.150 L of saline solution along with 6 mL of Bionew (Vetnil®), 15 mL of calcium solution, and 5 mL of 50% glucose. Subsequently, the animal underwent intestinal washing through the insertion of an oral probe, which resulted in the expulsion of putrid content. Afterward, the animal’s blood was collected and sent to the Clinical Pathology Laboratory of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at HOVET-UFRPE for a complete blood count and analysis of the total protein. The complete blood count showed intense anisocytosis, mild polycythemia, and leukocytosis associated with neutrophilia. The subject died 24 h after the initial consultation at HOVET-UFRPE. The corpse was subsequently sent for a necropsy examination at the Animal Pathology Department of the School of Veterinary Medicine of UFRPE. The necropsy examination of the abdomen showed dark coloration of the intestines and dilatation extending from the small intestine to the large intestine, which was associated with torsion at the level of the ileocecal junction. The rumen contained five structures that were compatible with phytobezoars. These were measured to be between five and 15 cm. The kidney was dark red in color, and the spleen was pale and retracted. The cause of death was a circulatory shock secondary to cecal dilatation and torsion caused by the phytobezoar obstruction.
Discussion: Insufficient nutritional management is one of the most important factors associated with cecal dilatation and torsion, as it can influence the formation of phytobezoars. Intestinal obstruction caused by phytobezoars has a higher prevalence in dairy cows during the first two weeks of lactation, after a period of activity or in the final stages of pregnancy. Additionally, an increased intake of fast-fermenting foods rich in carbohydrates can also result in the occurrence of digestive disorders of the cecum. Therefore, a rapid and appropriate diagnosis is essential for a more favorable prognosis. Cecal dilatation and torsion associated with phytobezoar obstruction are considered a rarely occurring digestive disorder that can go unnoticed. Adequate nutritional management is an essential component in the prevention of this fermentative disorder.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Mateus de Melo Lima Waterloo, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE

Área de Patologia do Departamento de Medicina Veterinária (DMV) da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.

Saulo Romero Felix Gonçalves, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE

Área de Patologia do Departamento de Medicina Veterinária (DMV) da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.

Ebla Lorena Sales de Araújo, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE

Área de Patologia do Departamento de Medicina Veterinária (DMV) da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.

Gustavo Simões Lima, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE

Área de Clínica Médica, Cirúrgica e da Reprodução de Grandes Animais, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.

Karoline Antunes de Albuquerque, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE

Área de Clínica Médica, Cirúrgica e da Reprodução de Grandes Animais, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.

Pedro Paulo Feitosa de Albuquerque, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE

Área de Patologia do Departamento de Medicina Veterinária (DMV) da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.

Huber Rizzo, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE

Área de Clínica Médica, Cirúrgica e da Reprodução de Grandes Animais, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.

Andrea Alice da Fonseca Oliveira, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE

Área de Patologia do Departamento de Medicina Veterinária (DMV) da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.

References

Afonso J.A.B., Costa N.A., Mendonça C.L., Souza M.I., Miranda Neto E.G. & Lima M.Z.P.R. 2003. Aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais da dilatação de ceco em bezerro: relato de caso. Revista de Educação Continuada do Conselho Regional de Medicina Veterinária do Estado de São Paulo. 9: 95-101.

Afonso J.A.B. & Mendonça C.L. 2007. Dilatação do ceco. In: Riet Correa F., Schild A.L., Lemos R.A.A. & Borges J.R. (Eds). Doenças de Ruminantes e Equídeos. 3.ed. Santa Maria: Pallotti, pp.375-380.

Afonso J.A.B., Mota I.O., Costa N.A., Mendonça C.L. & Souza M.I. 2006. Terapia e evolução clínica em bovinos com dilatação do ceco: análise de 14 casos. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária. 28: 172-176.

Afonso J.A B., Pereira A L.L., Vieira A.C., Mendonça C.L., Costa N.A. & Souza M.I. 2008. Alterações clínicas e laboratoriais na obstrução gastrintestinal por fitobezoários em bovinos. Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal. 9: 91-102.

Azizi S., Farshid A., Mardani K. & Farzaneh H. 2010. Sheep abomasal phytobezoariasis: the effect of breed, season and age with histopathological observations. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 4: 95-99.

Braun U., Eicher R. & Hausammann K. 1989. Clinical findings in cattle with dilatation and torsion of the caecum. Veterinary Record. 125: 265-267.

Braun U., Hermann M. & Pabst B. 1989. Haematological and biochemical finding in cattle with dilatation and torsion of the caecum. Veterinary Record. 125: 396-398.

Dehghani S. & Townsend H. G.G. 1982. Cecal torsion in a 6 month old Holstein-Friesian steer. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 23: 217-218.

Fubini S.L., Erb H.E., Rebhun W.C. & Horne D. 1986. Cecal dilatation and volvulus in dairy cows: 84 cases (1977-1983). Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association. 189: 96-99.

Kramer J.W. 2000. Normal hematology of cattle, sheep and goats. In: Feldman B.F., Zinkl J.G. & Jain N.C. (Eds). Schalm’s Veterinary Hematology. 5th edn. Philadelphia: Lippincott Willians & Wilkins, pp.1075-1084.

Matos D.S., Leme F.M., Dias E.S. & Arruda R.C.O. 2013. Anatomia foliar de três espécies de Stylosanthes SW. E sua associação com a composição e formação potencial de fitobezoares em bovinos. Ciência Rural. 43: 2049-2055.

Monso J.A.B., Mendonça C.L., Costal N.A., Souza M.I., Simão L.C.V. & Dantas F.R. 2002. Alterações clínicas e laboratoriais na dilatação do ceco em bovinos. Análise de 10 casos. Revista Educacional Continuada em Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia do CRMV-SP. 5: 313-320.

Murray M.J. & Smith B.P. 2006. Enfermidades do trato alimentar. In: Smith B.P. (Ed). Medicina Interna de Grandes Animais. 3.ed. Barueri: Manole, pp.593-789.

Radostits O.M., Gay C.C., Blood D.C. & Hinchcliff K.W. 2010. Clínica Veterinária: Um Tratado de Doenças dos Bovinos, Ovinos, Suínos, Caprinos e Equinos. 9.ed. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Koogan, pp.305-307.

Rebhun W.C., Guard C. & Richards C.M. 1995. Diseases of Dairy Cattle. Baltimore: Lea & Febiger, 530p.

Silva R.J., Silva J.A.B.A., Costa N.A. & Mendonça C.L. 2014. Dilatação do ceco em bezerros: relato de casos. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Veterinárias. 21: 76-81.

Smith B.P. 2006. Medicina Interna de Grandes Animais. 3.ed. Barueri: Editora Manole, pp.593-789.

Ubiali D.G., Silva R.G.F., Oliveira L.P., Moraes L.G., Caldeira F.H. B., Pescador C.A., Souza M.A. & Colodel E.M. 2013. Intestinal obstruction in cattle consuming Stylosanthes sp. (Fabaceae papilionoideae). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira. 33: 148-154.

Vieira A., Paulino A., Silveira L., Correia S. & Loureiro A. 2015. Bezoar: patologia centenária com nova composição. Revista Portuguesa de Cirurgia. 33: 51-53.

Published

2020-01-01

How to Cite

Waterloo, M. de M. L., Gonçalves, S. R. F., Araújo, E. L. S. de, Lima, G. S., Albuquerque, K. A. de, Albuquerque, P. P. F. de, Rizzo, H., & Oliveira, A. A. da F. (2020). Cecal Dilatation and Torsion Associated with Phytobezoar Obstruction in a Heifer. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 48. https://doi.org/10.22456/1679-9216.101042

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>