Intestinal Disorders (TV4101, Lecture 7 Notes)

Discuss colic

- Associated with bloat, peracute rumen acidosis, intestinal volvulus, intussusception, intestinal phytobezoar, constricting band, abomasal volvulus or caecal dilation/volvulus/torsion (plus uterine torsion, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, acute photosensation or peritonitis)

- Present with discomfort, abdomen kicking, repeated twisting/turning, getting up and down

Discuss spasmodic colic

- Common in adult dairy cattle at milking

- Due to grazing lush pasture or calves post feeding

- Present with severe colic signs

- May spontaneously recover

- Consider administration of spasmolytic drug or sedatives

Discuss intissusception

- Invagination of one segment (intussusceptum) of bowel into lumen of adjacent segment (intussuscipiens)

- Present with early signs of colic followed by small amounts of faeces containing blood and mucus

- Rectal examination = multiple loops of tightly distended small intestine in right abdomen

- Right flank laparotomy and enterectomy with end-end anastomosis (variable success)

Discuss intestinal volvulus

- Results from twisting of segment of intestine upon itself, causing obstruction as well as strangulation of blood supply with rapid distension of bowel segment

- Present with colic, bilateral abdominal distension, scant or mucoid faeces with increased heart rate and recumbency

- Rectal examination = multiple, gas-distended loops of small intestine with tense strands of mesentery

- Correct with right paralumbar fossa approach and reposition intestine in abdominal cavity (variable success)

Discuss intestinal phytobezoar (fibre)/trichobezoar (hair)

- Occurs with high fibre feeds (especially onion weed) or hair consumption

- May lodge in abomasum causing dehydration with early signs of colic, reduced grey-yellow faeces and rumen fluid reflux from nostrils (pathognomonic)

- Perform right flank laparotomy for obstruction removal

Discuss caecum dilation/volvulus/torsion

- Occurs with restricted roughage, high level of concentrates or pasture changes (i.e. accumulation of fluid or gas)

- Present with mild abdominal discomfort and decreased faeces

- Diagnose with 'ping' over right paralumbar fossa and dilated caecum palpable per rectum

- Medical treatment (caecal dilation only) with good-quality hay, calcium borogluconate infusions and spasmolyticum

- Surgery (HR >90 with abdominal pain) via right flank laparotomy to drain and reposition caecum

Discuss jejunal haemorrhage syndrome

- Progressive haemorrhage occurs in segments of jejunum with obstruction by blood clots and varying mucosal sloughing

- Associated with feeding silage, diets high in energy and high production early lactation

- Present with acute milk drop, abdominal distension, small volume of dark bloody faeces, HR > 100, shock and rapid death

- Diagnose with low-pitched 'pings' and multiple loops of distended intestine on rectal palpation

- Perform exploratory laparotomy (poor prognosis)