Abomasal impaction in a goat - surgical approach

Background: The abomasum is glandular and has a bagpipe shape, with a capacity of 1 to 2 liters. It has a very acidic content with a pH ranging from 1.5 to 3, and although disturbances in this organ are uncommon in small ruminants, abomasal emptying defect is probably the most common abomasal problem in goats. The etiology of an abomasal emptying defect is unknown, however, abomasal impaction is the main cause of this condition. Since this disorder is associated with poor prognosis and information in goats is scarce, the aim of this report is to describe the success of abomasotomy as a treatment for abomasal impaction in goats, as well as to describe the clinical and laboratory aspects of this disease. Case: A 8-month-old male Anglo-Nubian goat, weighing 33 kg, presented with apathy and decreased appetite for 4 days due to digestive disorder. According to history, the diet consisted of crushed hay ad libitum and 300 g of ration bran. Clinical findings were apathy, pale mucous membranes, ruminal hypomotility, decreased fecal output, tense abdomen with distention of the ventral quadrants and loss of rumen stratification. The increase in chloride ion concentration (67 mEq/L) observed in the ruminal fluid analysis was indicative of abomasal-ruminal reflux, compatible with metabolic acidosis, as well as the dense hyperechogenic content in the ventral field of the left and right abdomen corresponding to the location of the entire abomasum on transabdominal ultrasound. Thus, clinical, laboratory and ultrasound findings were indicative of impaction of the abomasum, and the goat underwent exploratory laparotomy through the left flank, which revealed a distended and compacted abomasum. Differently from reports in the literature, due to severe distension of the abomasum, abomasotomy through the right flank was chosen to reverse the condition, followed by constant monitoring and supportive therapy with antimicrobial and analgesic medication. The goat defecated normally on the second postoperative day, however, on auscultation, there was persistence of abomasal emptying failure, suggesting a situation of posterior functional stenosis. With the suspicion of type III vagal indigestion, the atropine test, along with radiographic examination of the chest and abdomen were performed, and did not reveal any changes. In order to restore abomasal motility, intensive therapy with prokinetic drugs (bromopride, metoclopramide and promethazine) was associated, and on the fifth day the animal returned to normal appetite, abomasal motility and fecal production. The goat was discharged after 14 days of intensive care with recommendations to provide good quality food and water. Discussion: Abomasal impaction is rarely reported in goats, commonly resulting in animal death before or even a few days after surgical correction. The diagnosis of abomasal impaction was based on clinical, laboratory and ultrasound findings, and should be differentiated from other diseases that progress with abdominal distention and gradual weight loss, such as functional stenosis; duodenal obstruction; vagal nerve disorder; abomasite; generalized peritonitis, and granuloma associated with Actinobacillus lignieresii. Surgical correction by right paralombar access associated with visceral emptying and supportive therapy of impaction abomasal was performed and considered successful, without relapses and secondary complications long-term.

Dilatação e torção de ceco associada à obstrução por fitobezoar em bezerra / Cecal dilatation and torsion associated with phytobezoar obstruction in a heifer

Background: Dilatation of the cecum associated with intestinal torsion is a fermentative digestive disease that has a lowoccurrence 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 uncommoncondition that is frequently observed in the practice of veterinary medicine, the objective of this report was to describe acase of dilatation and torsion of the cecum associated with phytobezoar obstruction in a heifer that was examined at theVeterinary 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 signsof 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 ocularmucous membranes, and a moderate level of dehydration (3%). The dehydration was treated through the administrationof 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 animals blood was collected and sent to the Clinical Pathology Laboratory of theDepartment of Veterinary Medicine at HOVET-UFRPE for a complete blood count...(AU)

Dilatação e torção de ceco associada à obstrução por fitobezoar em bezerra / Cecal dilatation and torsion associated with phytobezoar obstruction in a heifer

Background: Dilatation of the cecum associated with intestinal torsion is a fermentative digestive disease that has a lowoccurrence 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 uncommoncondition that is frequently observed in the practice of veterinary medicine, the objective of this report was to describe acase of dilatation and torsion of the cecum associated with phytobezoar obstruction in a heifer that was examined at theVeterinary 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 signsof 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 ocularmucous membranes, and a moderate level of dehydration (3%). The dehydration was treated through the administrationof 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 theDepartment of Veterinary Medicine at HOVET-UFRPE for a complete blood count...

Obstrução gástrica parcial por caroço de cajarana (Spondias cytherea sonn) em filhote de cão - técnicas de imagem para diagnóstico / Partial gastric obstruction caused by cajarana (Spondias cytherea Sonn) in puppies - imaging techniques for diagnosis

Background: Ingestion of foreign bodies is one of the most common cases seen among puppies of dogs in the medical clinics of small animals which may be related to their curious behavior. The diagnosis is based on the patients history, clinical signs, and complementary diagnostic imaging tests. The present case report describes the use of complementary imaging tests, showing a partial gastric obstruction caused by cajarana (Spondias cytherea Sonn) in a puppy.Case: At the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region, a 4-month-old male Yorkshire dog was treated. The guardian reported having witnessed the ingestion of a cajarana stone by the animal. During the physical examination, the animal was active, with good nutritional status, normocorated mucosae, and a moderate degree of dehydration, besides a slight pain on palpation in the epigastric region. Hematological examinations included blood counts, blood urea, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase. A moderate degree of polycythemia was observed, which may be explained by the dehydration caused by the episodes of vomiting. The patient had frequent episodes of vomiting after the reported event and was then referred to the diagnostic imaging sector. During the sonographic examination, a concave echogenic interface associated with a posterior acoustic shadowing was observed in the region of the stomach. The animal was sent for simple radiographs and positive contrast based on barium sulfate due to the suspicion of the presence of a foreign body. On simple radiography, in the left laterolateral view, a little radiopaque structure of circular format with poor definition was observed in the pyloric region. After the simple radiography, approximately 10 mL of barium sulfate contrast was administered orally followed by a new left lateral radiographic imaging.[...](AU)

Obstrução gástrica por ingestão de castanha de caju em iguana / Gastric obstruction by ingestion of cashew nut in iguana

Gastric obstructions in reptiles due to the ingestion of foreign bodies may be the result of inadequate nutritional management, stress or by mistake in food seizures. If it is difficult to diagnose the obstruction through radiography, the animal may die. This paper reports the case of a gastric obstruction by a cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale), occupying the entire lumen of the stomach in a female green iguana (Iguana iguana), of free life and in gestational period, identified only during necropsy.

Obstrução gástrica parcial por caroço de cajarana (Spondias cytherea sonn) em filhote de cão - técnicas de imagem para diagnóstico / Partial gastric obstruction caused by cajarana (Spondias cytherea Sonn) in puppies - imaging techniques for diagnosis

Background: Ingestion of foreign bodies is one of the most common cases seen among puppies of dogs in the medical clinics of small animals which may be related to their curious behavior. The diagnosis is based on the patient’s history, clinical signs, and complementary diagnostic imaging tests. The present case report describes the use of complementary imaging tests, showing a partial gastric obstruction caused by cajarana (Spondias cytherea Sonn) in a puppy.Case: At the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region, a 4-month-old male Yorkshire dog was treated. The guardian reported having witnessed the ingestion of a cajarana stone by the animal. During the physical examination, the animal was active, with good nutritional status, normocorated mucosae, and a moderate degree of dehydration, besides a slight pain on palpation in the epigastric region. Hematological examinations included blood counts, blood urea, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase. A moderate degree of polycythemia was observed, which may be explained by the dehydration caused by the episodes of vomiting. The patient had frequent episodes of vomiting after the reported event and was then referred to the diagnostic imaging sector. During the sonographic examination, a concave echogenic interface associated with a posterior acoustic shadowing was observed in the region of the stomach. The animal was sent for simple radiographs and positive contrast based on barium sulfate due to the suspicion of the presence of a foreign body. On simple radiography, in the left laterolateral view, a little radiopaque structure of circular format with poor definition was observed in the pyloric region. After the simple radiography, approximately 10 mL of barium sulfate contrast was administered orally followed by a new left lateral radiographic imaging.[...]

Obstrução gástrica por ingestão de castanha de caju em iguana / Gastric obstruction by ingestion of cashew nut in iguana

Gastric obstructions in reptiles due to the ingestion of foreign bodies may be the result of inadequate nutritional management, stress or by mistake in food seizures. If it is difficult to diagnose the obstruction through radiography, the animal may die. This paper reports the case of a gastric obstruction by a cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale), occupying the entire lumen of the stomach in a female green iguana (Iguana iguana), of free life and in gestational period, identified only during necropsy.(AU)