Persistent oropharyngeal membrane in a Hereford calf

Persistent oropharyngeal membrane was found in a 6-day-old Hereford calf. The calf was unable to nurse and had not passed feces since birth. Physical examination revealed a fold of tissue spanning the caudal oral cavity, and a barium study demonstrated that food remained within the oral cavity despite a swallowing reflex. A thickened epiglottis was demonstrated radiographically but was not confirmed on necropsy. Necropsy revealed a complete soft-tissue partition between oral cavity and oropharynx with a central blind-ended diverticulum. Only a few cases of persistent oropharyngeal membrane have been reported previously, all in humans. This is the first report of this defect in domestic animals. Possible similarities to the more common persistent anal membrane are discussed.