DIAGNOSIS, THERAPY AND PROGNOSIS OF INTES TINAL VOLVULUS IN CATTLE

In a retrospective study of intestinal volvulus, the clinical records of 51 cattle of all ages admitted to the medical clinic between 1989 a nd 1994 were analysed. The number of cases per year ranged from sir to eleven. The majority of the cattle were German Simmental and 32 were male and 19 female. As for mesenteric torsion, intestinal volvulus is characterised by a peracute course. The clinical onset is dominated be severe colic. The general condition deteriorates rapidly as a result of the progressive devitalisation of the ischaemic intestine and mesen tery. In all cases the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by surgery or at autopsy. Three adult cattle were slaughtered following diagnosis, a nd two calves died before surgical intervention could be under taken. Surgery was performed on the remaining 46 cattle. Sixteen cattle were euthanised during surgery because of the findings. A further 16 animal s were euthanised or died a few days after surgery. Fourteen animals r ecovered and were discharged. The most frequent sire of intestinal vol vulus was the distal jejunum and the ileum. In five cases the volvulus was located in the middle of the jejunum and in on case in the proxim al jejunum. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed in view of the presence of intestinal disturbances, such as diarrhoea, intussusce ption and obstruction , in a number of cases. Surgery on cattle of all ages should be performed with the patient in lateral recumbency as th e necessary visceral manipulations are greatly facilitated, thereby im proving the success rate, particularly in adult cattle. As in cases of mesentery torsion, early diagnosis and surgical intervention are of v ital importance For cases with a clinical duration of up to 12 hours t he success rate was 10 out of 15. Success is very unlikely for cases i n the indolent phase and euthanasia is recommended.