Clinical, pathological and histological findings in a calf with ruminal drinking 'responsive' to therapy: a case report [German]

摘要

A 10 days old female Simmental calf was admitted to the clinic because of diarrhea and concomitant rapid deterioration of the general condition. Although the condition of the calf improved promptly following infusion therapy it refused to drink. The clinical suspicion of ruminal drinking was confirmed by examination of ruminal liquid. As three courses of therapy, each involving numerous ruminal lavages, and two periods of transient fasting were unsuccessful, the calf was euthanised. Post mortem examination revealed obvious alterations of the reticulum. It was much smaller than normal for calves of this age, the characteristic mucosal structure being restricted to an area of about 2 square centimeters. The reticular groove could not be identified.