Bovine congenital defects recorded by veterinary practitioners

A mobile phone app was used by 59 veterinary practitioners to collect case histories and images of 191 cattle with congenital defects distributed nationally over a 3-year period. The majority of cases were recorded during the spring calving season (57.6%) in pluriparous dairy dams. The majority of calves were recorded at birth or within the first week (66.5%) in singletons born at full-term. On the majority of farms (75.9%), this was the only congenitally deformed bovine recorded up to that point in the year and on the majority of farms, there were no congenitally deformed cattle recorded in the previous 5 years. The majority of congenital defects (83.5%) were recorded in the musculoskeletal or digestive systems. The three most commonly recorded individual defects were intestinal atresia (24.1%), schistosomus reflexus (20.4%) and ankylosis (6.8%); multiple defects were recorded in 13.1% of cases. These findings highlight the relatively high prevalence of intestinal atresia and schistosomus reflexus in calves attended by veterinary practitioners, which warrants implementation of preventive measures. The project highlights the potential benefits of veterinary-practitioner apps to detect changing trends in endemic, or the emergence of novel, congenital or other conditions.

Congenital segmental intestinal anomalies in calves

This focus article has been prepared by Alwyn Jones, veterinary investigation officer with SRUC Veterinary Services.

Surgical abdomen of the calf

Although underrepresented compared with infectious diseases, calves' surgical abdomen diseases and abdominal surgery are a part of daily veterinary practice. Clinical presentations may differ from adult cattle and change rapidly. The decision whether to perform abdominal surgery or refer the animal has to take into consideration the condition and its prognosis for the calf. This article discusses clinical presentation of calves and focuses on specific situations with a detailed description of the surgical techniques, atresia coli, and umbilical remnants infection.

Epidemiological investigations of an outbreak of intestinal atresia in two Israeli dairy herds

An epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of intestinal atresia in Israeli Holstein-Friesian newborn calves showed a linkage with rectal palpation for early pregnancy diagnosis, performed less than 42 days after insemination. The odds of an exposed calf, i.e., one born to a dam that was diagnosed by early palpation as having intestinal atresia were 119.7 times higher than one born in normal control herds (95% CI; 7.4-1946.3). A total of 682 calves-at-risk was recorded from mid-1998 to mid-2000 and a total of 47 calves (6.9%) were born with intestinal atresia during this period. Two forms of intestinal atresia were recognized at post-mortem: atresia coli and atresia ilei.

Diseases and surgery of the small colon

Diseases of the small colon are numerous and they can affect horses of any age. Diseases can be simple obstructions, nonstrangulating obstructions, strangulating obstructions, and congenital defects. American Miniature Horses appear prone to luminal obstruction with impacted intestinal contents, and some ischemic diseases are more common in postpartum mares. Enterotomy and enterectomy have a high success rate in the small colon, provided the affected portion can be exteriorized. The beginning and terminal portions of the small colon can be involved in many diseases and are not readily accessible from standard abdominal approaches. The prognosis is generally more favorable than has been proposed.

Surgical aspects of intestinal atresia in 58 calves

Fifty-eight calves with intestinal atresia at different sites were treated surgically. In only four of the animals the anal opening was reconstructed directly in the perineal region. In the remaining cases the final extent of the atresia was confirmed by a right flank laparotomy and in seven calves an anal opening was made in the perineal region and in seven calves the opening was made in the right flank. The remaining 40 calves were euthanased for different reasons. Seven of the 18 surgically corrected animals made a satisfactory recovery.

Congenital abnormalities of internal organs and body cavities

Many of these malformations are reported sporadically, but a few are common, and several have important clinical implications. One example is schistosomus reflexus, which is always a challenge for veteran clinicians and often baffling to inexperienced obstetricians. The recent finding that early palpation of the amniotic vesicle can cause intestinal atresia in calves is extremely significant for dairy practitioners. Finally, there is the ethical question in breeding animals--repairing defects that are thought to be genetic, such as atresia ani, scrotal hernia, and umbilical hernia.

Surgical repair of atresia jejuni in two calves

Two Holstein calves with similar histories of not defecating since birth were determined to have atresia jejuni. Resection of the distended blind end of the jejunum and the remaining jejunum and ileum followed by a jejunocecostomy was performed. One calf died 7 months after surgery of unknown causes. The second calf has survived for greater than 1 year, and has maintained a growth rate similar to other calves its age. Atresia jejuni has been reported to be a universally fatal disorder of unknown pathogenesis. It has been postulated that intestinal atresia is caused by palpation of the amniotic vesicle at the time of pregnancy diagnosis, between days 36 and 42 of gestation.

Incidence of atresia coli and relationships among the affected calves born in one herd of Holstein cattle

Eighteen cases of atresia coli were observed in the University of Illinois Holstein herd from 1974 through August 1983 in 2367 births. The overall incidence of the abnormality was .76% during this period. All of the affected calves were related to one another, and 15 of them were inbred. More calves were born with atresia coli from dams in which pregnancy was diagnosed prior to d 41 of gestation than from dams in which pregnancy was diagnosed later. Early pregnancy diagnosis in dams may contribute, but was not essential, to atresia coli in Holstein calves. Thirteen of the affected calves were males. The proportion of calves aborted or born dead among the affected calves was greater than expected from the incidence of aborted or born dead among contemporary calves.

Atresia coli inherited in Holstein cattle

A mating plan was designed to test the genetic hypothesis that atresia coli is inherited as an autosomal recessive at a single locus with two alleles. Matings between 8 putative carrier sires and 56 putative carrier dams resulted in 59 normal and 8 atresia coli calves, which was not different from the expected number of 8.1 affected calves. One case of atresia coli was observed among 628 calves born concurrently in the herd. All of the affected calves born from planned and contemporary matings were inbred, and their dominance relationships with each other were greater than zero, which is complementary evidence of pairs of alleles in common among affected calves. In planned matings, 7 of the 39 pregnancies diagnosed during the first 40 d of gestation of putative carriers produced affected calves. In contemporary matings, for pregnancies diagnosed before d 41 of gestation, there were 1 affected and 295 normal calves. Atresia coli in Holstein calves was associated with putative carrier parents. Retrospective analysis of early pregnancy diagnosis in dams was inconclusive in evaluating the role of palpation on atresia coli in genetically predisposed calves.

Clinical management and surgical repair of atresia coli in calves: 66 cases (1977-1988)

The medical records of 66 calves with atresia coli were reviewed; 64 calves were examined at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, and 2 calves were examined at the New Bolton Center. In each case, the site of the atresia was within the spiral loop of the ascending colon. In 1 of these calves, a segment of jejunum was also atretic. Absence of feces, progressive weakness, and abdominal distension were the most common clinical signs observed. Other congenital abnormalities were detected in 12 (18%) of 66 calves. Of the 66 calves examined, 5 were euthanatized or died on admission, and 61 had an exploratory celiotomy performed. Eight calves were euthanatized or died during the surgery. In the remaining 53 calves, surgical treatment consisted of enterotomy followed by meconium evacuation, resection of the proximal blind end (in 30 calves), and restoration of intestinal continuity. Restoration of intestinal continuity was done either by side-to-side anastomosis of the proximal to distal blind ends (5 calves), or by side-to-side or end-to-side anastomosis of the proximal blind end to the descending colon (48 calves). Of the 66 calves seen, 27 (41%) were discharged from the hospital, and 11 of these reached reproductive age (11 calves were lost to follow-up before they were 2 years old). From the 11 calves reaching reproductive age, 33 calves were born, one of which may have had atresia coli. The owners should anticipate that long-term survivors likely will have loose feces and normal offspring, but may not grow as well as otherwise expected.

Intestinal atresia in calves: 22 cases (1978-1988)

A retrospective study of 22 calves afflicted with intestinal atresia was performed to determine typical signs of disease, treatment, and survival rate. All 22 calves, except 2 heifers with atresia ani and rectovaginal fistula, were examined when they were between 1 and 10 days old because of depression, anorexia, abdominal distention, and lack of feces. All calves had been observed to stand and suckle shortly after birth. Survival rate was influenced by the atretic segment affected: 0% (0/2 surgically treated) for atresia jejunal; 42% (5/12 examined) or 71% (5/7 recovering from general anesthesia) for atresia coli; and 63% (5/8 examined) or 71% (5/7 surgically treated) for atresia ani. Survival appeared to depend principally on early recognition, anatomic site affected, and successful surgical establishment of a patent intestinal tract.

Short colon in two cats and a dog

Two cats and 1 dog were referred for evaluation of signs of large-intestinal dysfunction. In each instance, contrast radiography revealed an abnormally short, straight colon, with the cecum located in the left hemi-abdomen. Short colon did not appear to contribute specifically to the active disease processes found. The anomaly may develop owing to errors in the processes of elongation and rotation of the embryo's midgut. The clinical relevance of short colon is unknown, but the disorder may contribute to a history of chronic elimination of soft feces.

Atresia coli in calves: 26 cases (1977-1987)

Atresia coli was identified in 26 calves. In calves with abdominal distension, progressive depression, and the absence of feces since birth, atresia coli should be suspected. Surgery was performed on 24 calves, involving decompression of the distended large intestine followed by colonic anastomosis. Nine calves were subsequently discharged; 3 of those calves reached breeding age. As an adult, 1 of the calves produced 5 offspring unaffected by atresia coli. Early postoperative mortality was associated with hypothermia, peritonitis, and ischemic necrosis of the large intestine. Calves with visible signs of peritonitis at surgery had a poor prognosis. Four calves had motility disturbances of the colon after surgery. These were characteristic of a functional obstruction and were unresponsive to treatment. Surgery was most successful in calves that were bright, alert, and ambulatory.

Segmental atresia of the transverse colon in a foal with concurrent equine herpes virus-1 infection

Segmental atresia of the transverse colon was observed at necropsy in a neonatal foal. The dorsal and ventral components of the large colon were fused, and ended blindly. The small colon was collapsed and completely closed at its cranial end. The right and left dorsal and ventral colons were fused into one blind-ended tube. Histologically, eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies demonstrative of Equine Rhinopneumonitis were present in the thymus.

Intestinal atresia and stenosis: a review comparing its morphology

A review of the literature on intestinal atresia of domestic animal species and humans was done. The 5 types of intestinal occlusions described in human infants are atresia type 1, atresia type 2, atresia type 3, stenosis, and the "apple peel" or "Christmas tree" deformity. The intestinal defects described in domestic animal species such as the bovine, equine and porcine are similar to those of human infants. The "T-formation", an intestinal defect of the bovine resembling atresia type 3, and rectal stricture, an acquired intestinal defect of the porcine resembling stenosis, were described recently. Intestinal atresia is similar in several species and these similarities raise the questions as to whether the pathogenic mechanism and possibly etiologies of intestinal atresia are similar in these species.

Intestinal atresia and stenosis: a review comparing its etiopathogenesis

Two theories were proposed originally to describe the development of congenital intestinal atresia. The theory of imperfect recanalization, the theory of vascular insufficiency, and studies which have been performed to validate each of these theories were reviewed. Specific causes of the development of vascular insufficiencies in different species were reviewed if literature was available. In utero vascular accidents have been incriminated as the major cause of congenital intestinal atresia distal to the duodenum. There was relatively little evidence to show that intestinal atresia is inherited in any species. Duodenal atresia may be caused by either an embryologic defect for which there is some evidence of inheritance or by a vascular accident. The pathogenic mechanism for intestinal atresia may be similar in most species.

Blind-end atresia coli in two foals

Blind-end atresia coli was observed in two genetically unrelated foals at about the same time and location. The two foals, one an Appaloosa and the other a Quarterhorse, were born 4 days apart on nearby but separate farms. The Appaloosa foal died after surgical anastomosis of the affected segments of the colon. The Quarterhorse foal was euthanized after the defect was found at laparotomy. Both foals were necropsied and representative tissues were examined histopathologically. Histopathologic results were unremarkable. No cause of the defects could be determined and the timing and geographical location of the two events were considered coincidental.

The surgical repair of atresia ani in a Dobermann bitch

The surgical repair of atresia ani accompanied by a large rectovaginal fistula was successfully performed in a 4-month old Dobermann bitch. As a young pup, the dog had been able to pass liquid stool through the vagina via a rectovaginal fistula, but the gradual change to a adult diet had resulted in considerable obstipation and tenesmus. The operation was performed experimentally, since the dog would have had to have been euthanased at this stage, and its success has allowed the dog to continue a satisfactory existence.

Intestinal atresia and stenosis in animals: a report of 34 cases

Intestinal atresia was found in 29 animals and stenosis in five. Atresia was found in the duodenum in one pup; in the jejunum in nine calves, two lambs and one piglet; in the ileum in one pup, one lamb and one piglet; and in the colon in one foal, seven calves, one lamb, one piglet and three kittens. Stenosis was found in the duodenum of a foal, in the jejunum in two calves and one pup, and in both the ileum and the colon of a kitten. One lamb showed ileal atresia as well as ileal stenosis. We classified the atresia as type 1, membrane atresia (four cases); type 2, cord atresia (six cases); and type 3, blind-end atresia (19 cases). In the literature and our own study, atresia was found only in the small intestine in puppies, but in foals and kittens it was found only in the colon. Atresia of the colon is more common in animals than in man, but multiple atresia, frequent in man, is rare in animals.