Ultrasonographic findings in five cows before and after treatment of reticular abscesses.

Five cows with reticular abscesses were examined clinically, haematologically, radiographically and ultrasonographically. They all had clinical signs typical of traumatic reticuloperitonitis, including chronic indigestion, pyrexia, an absence of or reduced ruminal motility, weight loss and a positive reaction to foreign body test. A haematological examination revealed anaemia, increased concentrations of plasma protein and fibrinogen and a decreased clotting time in the glutaraldehyde test. On the basis of the radiographic examination, a tentative diagnosis of reticular abscess was made in four of the cows, because the reticulum was displaced from the peritoneum or because there was an extensive gas-fluid interface in the reticular region. By ultrasonography, a large reticular abscess with a well developed capsule was visible in each of the cows. The abscess was located between the reticulum and ventral peritoneum in two of them, between the reticulumn and right thoracic wall in two and between the reticulum and spleen in the other cow. A foreign body penetrating the abscess could be visualised ultrasonographically in one cow. In two cows, the abscesses were drained through an ultrasound-guided transcutaneous incision. In the other three cows, the abscess was incised and drained from within the reticulum during a rumenotomy. Ultrasonographic examination revealed that the abscess had been completely evacuated in four cows, but only by about two-thirds in the remaining cow. All the cows were clinically healthy when they were discharged.

Effect of xylazine, cisapride, and naloxone on myoelectric activity of the ileocecocolic area in cows.

The effect of xylazine, cisapride, and naloxone on myoelectric activity of the ileum, cecum, and proximal loop of the ascending colon (PLAC) was determined in 4 healthy Jersey cows implanted with 8 pairs of bipolar electrodes. A 4 x 4 Latin square design was used. The treatments included xylazine (0.04 mg/kg of body weight), cisapride (0.08 mg/kg), naloxone (0.05 mg/kg), and 0.9% sodium chloride solution (20 ml). All treatments were administered i.v. during early phase I of the migrating myoelectric complex in the ileum. Myoelectric activity was recorded for 4 hours after treatment, and data were analyzed for each hour separately. Xylazine significantly (P < 0.05) increased the duration of phase I of the first migrating myoelectric complex in the ileum to 220.72 +/- 26.89 minutes, compared with 30.91 +/- 10.11 minutes after administration of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The number of cecocolic spikes per minute per electrode and the duration of cecocolic spike activity (percentage of recording time) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased for the first 3 hours, and the number of propagated spike sequences in the cecum and PLAC was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased for the first 2 hours after administration of xylazine. Significant difference was not found between control and either cisapride or naloxone treatment of healthy cows. However, during hour 1 after treatment with cisapride, number of spikes per minute, duration of spike activity, and number of propagated spike sequences were highest, compared with the other treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Capillary hemangioma, a rare neoplasia in a calf]. / Kapilläres Hämangiom, eine seltene Neoplasie beim Kalb.

A calf with a dark red, cauliflower-like mass in its oral cavity was referred to our clinic. Histopathologic examination of this mass revealed a capillary hemangioma. A combination of thermotherapy and cryosurgery was used in the treatment of this tumor. Healing was followed for one year.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of urachal cyst in three calves.

In 3 calves with irreducible umbilical swelling attributable to urachal cyst, ultrasonography was helpful in establishing a definitive diagnosis. After surgical resection of the persistent urachus, 2 calves recovered without complications. In 1 calf in which the urachus had ruptured subcutaneously during forceful diagnostic palpation, additional surgical debridement of severe skin necrosis, caused by subcutaneous accumulation of urine in the umbilical region, was required. Most irreducible masses of the umbilical area of calves can be classified as attributable to infection, hematoma, or incarcerated umbilical hernia. Urachal cyst should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of an irreducible umbilical mass. Careful palpation of the umbilicus is indicated to avoid the potential complication of iatrogenic rupture of a urachal cyst.

End-to-end anastomosis of the jejunum by use of a biofragmentable anastomosis ring in a calf.

A radiopaque biofragmentable anastomosis ring was used for end-to-end anastomosis in a 3-month-old calf with a nonreducible umbilical hernia and partial small intestinal obstruction. Recovery was normal, and the ring degraded to several small fragments that passed in the feces between days 18 and 26 after surgery. The calf had normal weight gain; thus, it was slaughtered 9 months after surgery. Adhesions were found to involve 60% of the circumference of the intestine at the site of anastomosis. At histologic examination, the muscular layers were bridged by fibrous tissue. Double-contrast radiography revealed that the luminal diameter at the site of anastomosis corresponded exactly to the ID of the biofragmentable anastomosis ring. This was 69% smaller than the ID of healthy small intestine, because the normal intestine had grown substantially during the 9 months after surgery.