[Ulcerative colitis and proctitis in two Swiss Braunvieh cows]

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Bovine Pathology

Background:

• Rectal strictures and difficult rectal examinations can indicate serious underlying conditions in cattle.
• Peritonitis, characterized by abdominal inflammation, is a severe complication in bovine medicine.

Observation:

• Two Swiss Braunvieh cows presented with rectal narrowing, limiting examination, and signs of peritonitis.
• One cow had cranial rectal perforation, while the other exhibited mucosal depressions; both showed ultrasonographic evidence of peritonitis.

Findings:

• Post-mortem examinations revealed proctitis and ulcerative colitis with multiple perforated ulcers in both cows.
• Fibrinopurulent peritonitis was associated with the rectal lesions.
• Infectious causes (BVD, adenovirus, salmonellosis), trauma, and poisoning were excluded as etiological factors.

Implications:

• The study identifies ulcerative colitis and proctitis as a severe, potentially fatal condition in Swiss Braunvieh cows.
• The unknown etiology underscores the need for further research into the causes of these gastrointestinal conditions in cattle.
• This case report emphasizes the diagnostic challenges and poor prognosis associated with complicated rectal and colonic disease in bovines.