A rare case of intussusception in a dairy cow

Abstract

A rare case of intussusception in the "pars descendens duodeni” of a three-year-old dairy cow was described. The clinical signs manifested were acute anorexia, drop in the milk yield and cessation of rumination and defecation. Auscultation revealed diminished sounds in the abomasum and intestine but a tympanitic sound over a 6 cm diameter area between the 10^th and 12^th ribs of the right side was detected. Rectal examination revealed a firm, distended and elasticus viscus in the right anterior quadrant. The final diagnosis was obtained by exploratory laparotomy. A resection of the affected bowel followed by an enteroanastomosis were performed. A medical treatment (antibiotic therapy and rehydration) was given for five days to the cow which made an uneventful recovery. The etiology of the clinical signs presented are discussed.