Mycotic omasitis and rumenitis as sequelae to sepsis in dairy cattle: six cases (1979-1986)

Medical records of 6 cows with mycotic rumenitis or omasitis, but no history of grain engorgement, were reviewed. A diagnosis was made at necropsy in all cows, although the condition was suspected before euthanasia in 3 cows. Common clinical findings included inappetence, rumen stasis, fluid rumen contents, and scant, pasty, or loose feces. Postmortem findings included severe ulcerative rumenitis or omasitis, with thrombosis of blood vessels in the submucosa, and branching, septate fungal hyphae abundant in inflamed tissues. In these cows, mycotic omasitis and rumenitis were thought to be sequelae of sepsis, with reflux of abomasal fluid into the forestomach and broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy as possible predisposing factors for mycotic infections.