Clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of duodenal ileus in cattle

The clinical signs, changes in blood and rumen fluid, findings at laparotomy, therapy and course of disease of 23 cows with obstruction or compression of the duodenum are described. The duodenum was obstructed by a phytobezoar in 14 cows and by a blood clot in one cow. In eight cows, the duodenum was compressed by and adhered to a liver abscess. The most important clinical findings included moderate to severe disturbance in the general behaviour and attitude, markedly reduced gastrointestinal activity, no or greatly reduced defaecation and abomasal reflux with metabolic alkalosis. Ten cows were slaughtered after clinical examination or exploratory laparotomy. In 13 cows, the phytobezoar was compressed manually to facilitate normal elimination, and if this was not possible, the phytobezoar was removed by enterotomy. Postoperative therapy consisted of intravenous administration of a solution containing sodium chloride and glucose, potassium chloride and intramuscular administration of metoclopramide, procaine penicillin and flunixin meglumine for three to five days. Two of the treated cows were slaughtered a few days postoperatively. There was a rapid improvement in the remaining 11 cows, and general condition, appetite and defaecation returned to normal within a short time.