Comparison of Naturally Occurring Proximal Duodenal Obstruction and Abomasal Volvulus in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Physical and clinicopathologic findings from six cows with proximal duodenal obstruction (PDO) and 58 cows with abomasal volvulus (AV) were compared retrospectively. Many of the physical signs were similar in cows with PDO and cows with AV, but the two conditions differed in the type of abdominal distention, and in the findings from rectal examination and abdominal auscultation. Cows with PDO had significantly lower mean values for serum sodium (Na+) and chloride ion (Cl-), and higher mean values for plasma bicarbonate [HCO3-], base excess, carbon dioxide pressure (pCO2), serum phosphate, urea nitrogen, and total protein than AV affected cattle. Cows with PDO showed hyperglycemia (range, 263-990 mg/dl; mean, 618 mg/dl) of unexplained etiology that was significantly higher than blood-glucose concentrations in AV cows (mean, 178 mg/dl). Although all AV cows with anion gap values greater than 32 mEq/l died;PDO cows with equally elevated anion gap survived. The anion gap elevations in PDO and AV cows resulted from accumulation of different anions. Although the site of obstruction of aborad flow of ingesta is similar in both disease conditions, the differences in physical and clinicopathologic findings appear to reflect differences in the degree of reticulo-omasal orifice obstruction and the degree of abomasal vascular compromise.

Duodenal ileus caused by a calf feeding nipple in a cow

“…The clinical signs of the cow described in this report were typical of duodenal ileus [1,2]. They included rapid deterioration of the general condition, an enlarged L-shaped rumen and markedly diminished faecal output, but no signs of colic and an absence of dilated intestinal loops on transrectal palpation.…”

“…Phytobezoars are the most common cause of obstruction of the duodenum. They are formed when fibrinous adhesions involving the reticulum impair the mechanism responsible for sorting the ingesta, which allows poorly digested feed to move into the abomasum, omasum and duodenum, where it may cause an obstruction of the duodenum [1,2]. In rare instances, coagulated blood may obstruct the duodenum [1,3-5], although this happens more commonly in the jejunum [5].…”

Compactação ruminal e obstrução intestinal em bovinos, associadas ao consumo de Agave sisalana Perrine (Agavaceae)

“…Neste caso, além da compactação de rúmen observou--se obstrução intestinal, que clinicamente é diagnosticada por laparotomia exploratória. A obstrução normalmente localiza-se no intestino delgado, podendo em alguns casos obstruir o piloro (Garry et al 1988, Coutinho et al 2002. As etiologias comumente citadas nas obstruções intestinais são as intussuscepções, as torções e os bezoares (Pearson & Pinsent 1977, Dirksen & Doll 2005.…”

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

“…Obstruction of the sigmoid flexure of the duodenum adjacent to the liver has been described infrequently in cattle . Cattle with duodenal obstruction are often excellent milk producers and show progressive clinical signs of anorexia, decreased fecal output, and abomasal reflux syndrome .…”