Obstruction of the Ascending Colon in Cattle: I. Clinical Presentation and Surgical Management

Abstract

Obstruction of the spiral loop of the ascending colon (spiral colon) due to adhesions causing extraluminal constriction was diagnosed in 8 cows during a 2‐year period. The adhesions resulted from intraperitoneal injections in 7 cows and from previous intra‐abdominal surgery in the 8th. Surgical correction was performed in 4 of the cows by uniting the bowel proximal and distal to the obstruction, thus creating an intestinal bypass. Approximately half of the large intestine was bypassed in this manner in 3 cows; all but a portion of the descending colon and rectum was bypassed in the 4th. Each of the cows survived surgery, although 1 died 30 days later, possibly as a result of a second obstruction caused by further adhesions. Appetite, general physical condition, and milk production returned after celiotomy and intestinal bypass. Feces were loose after operation but gradually firmed to near‐normal consistency in 3 of the cows.