Student Case Presentation
GASTROINTESTINAL ANATOMIC ANOMALY IN A JERSEY HEIFER.
| Date/Time: |
9/12/2024 14
|
| Presenter: |
Lydia Durant |
| Veterinary School: |
LIU |
Abstract:
A 16-month-old Jersey heifer presented with lethargy, teeth grinding, diarrhea, chronic poor body condition, ocular/nasal discharge, frequent urination, and purulent discharge from the vulva. Diagnostics performed included Fecal floatation and CBC/Chemistry/Urinalysis, providing results of low levels of strongyles and nonspecific blood work changes other than an idiopathic hyperphosphatemia. The heifer was treated empirically for intestinal parasites and potential cystitis and when no improvement was noted the heifer was treated symptomatically. During treatment, the heifer continued to lose weight and became weak leading to periods of recumbency with the inability to stand. The heifer was humanely euthanized due to deteriorating condition and a necropsy was performed. On necropsy, a patent fibrotic connection between the dorsal sac of the rumen and the jejunum that was lined with ruminal mucosa was noted. The jejunum was noted to be dull and friable with stenosis on either side of the communication with the rumen. The urinary bladder was also involved with a fibrotic connection to the jejunum, forming a blind sac, directly opposite of the jejunum and rumenal attachments. Necropsy findings were determined to be a “Rare Development Defect” by the attending pathologist. Rare developmental defects, such as this, should be included on the differential diagnoses lists of veterinarians seeing clinical cases that don’t conform to the normal presentation of more typical youngstock diseases eg. Johnes, BVD, Parasitism, Lymphosarcoma or a possible hereditary condition.
