Abstract
This paper reports a case of abomasal bloat in a Holstein heifer, after an episode of the complete fracture of the left thoracic limb, which occurred on the farm. The animal, with 15 days of age, was donated to Veterinary Teaching Hospital (Hovet) of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of University of Sao Paulo (FMVZ/USP) where it was operated, resulting in a complete fracture consolidation and no post-surgical complications. At 52 days of age, the heifer manifested acute apathy, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. After physical and complementary (i.e., blood count and abdominal ultrasound) examinations and the assessment of nutritional management, the calf was diagnosed with abomasal bloat. Therefore, the following treatment was performed: correction of dehydration, antibiotic therapy, administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and attempt of gas release through the esophageal tube. Moreover, dietary adjustments were made and consisted in interrupting the supply of concentrate, decreasing the volume of milk replacer, as well as supplying ruminal liquid, water, and green grass. Despite the acute and fatal characteristics seen in abomasal tympanism, the rapid identification of the initial clinical manifestations presented by the heifer allowed immediate therapeutic intervention, culminating in the survival of the animal and complete recovery at the end of the treatment.
Highlights
Raising calves is one of the costliest phases in the dairy production system, since the money spent on the liquid diet represents 37.3% of the total production cost
The etiology of this syndrome has not been fully elucidated yet, it is believed that the excess of fermentable carbohydrates in the abomasum, associated with the presence of fermenting bacteria, such as Clostridium perfringens and Sarcina spp., are determinant for the occurrence of this disease (PANCIERA; BOILEAU; STEP, 2007)
This study reports a case of abomasal tympanism in a 52-day-old calf
Summary
Raising calves is one of the costliest phases in the dairy production system, since the money spent on the liquid diet represents 37.3% of the total production cost. On the physical examination performed on the first day of the clinical condition (i.e., day 1 – D1), the calf was found in sternal recumbency (Figure 1A), tachycardic (140 bpm), and tachypneic (60 movements per minute) It suffered from fever (40.5°C), moderate dehydration (i.e., skin turgor = 3 seconds, and enophthalmia), and abdominal distention (Figure 1B). At the end of the treatment and clinical recovery, the heifer was weaned
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