Clinicai and laboratory changes in the dilation of the caecum in beefand dairy cattle. Analysis of 10 cases

Abstract

Although it is a digestive occurrence with a relatively low frequency, caecum dilatation, has been seen in dairy herds. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical and laboratorial findings in ten bovines diagnosed with caecum dilatation in animals entered into the Bovine Clinic, Garanhuns Campus - UFRPE, from January of 1998 to December of 2001. Information related to feeding, management, time of the year of the occurrence, disease progression, breed, age, clinical signs, hematological findings and the ruminal fluid characteristics were collected. Ali the bovines were females, kept in a semi-intensive production system. Feed had encompassed several rations with concentrates rather than handling the fiber. The cases evolved were within a maximum of one week. The most frequently observed clinical signs were anorexia, colics, dehydration, and reduced rumen motility. Through percussion performed in the right region of the body, during auscultation, there was evidence of a tympanic resonance in all animals, which in some cases extended to the 12th intercostal space. Also in the animals, except for an eight months old calf, the dilated caecum could be felt through rectal examination; the organ's blind end was geared towards the interior of the pelvic cavity, without any torsion signs. Defecation was reduced or absent in 40% of the cases. Laboratory results showed evidence of leukocytosis due to neutrophilia; plasmatic fibrinogen values that were in the upper limit or above the indices were considered normal; and, alterations on characteristics of the ruminal fluid