Congenital pyloric obstruction in a calf

摘要

A 5 days old female crossbred calf presented with the major complaint of not passing meconium since birth. Calf was not suckling and owner did bottle milk feeding. The animal was severely dehydrated (as noted by absence of elasticity of skin) weak,emaciated, anaemic and was showing staggering gait with fast and shallow pulse, and slow and shallow respiration. Blood sample was collected for haematological examination. To rule out the atresia rectii or coli, retrograde barium sulphate enema (40 percent w/v) was given @ 10ml/kg and serial radiographs (73 kvp, 16mAS and 90 FFD) were taken at intervals of 30 and 60 minutes. Then barium meal was administered orally through oesophageal tube to examine the degree of transport in upper gastrointestinal tract. Contrast radiography, at intervals of 30 and 60 minutes, following barium sulphate enema (40 percent w/v) showed a patency of colon and rectum while barium meal did not pass but accumulated in abomasum even after 60 minutes post-administration. Hence the case was diagnosed as pyloric obstruction and decided to operate, but the condition of animal deteriorated and died, pre-operatively. Postmortem examination revealed empty and collapsed intestinal loops. Abomasum was full of liquid contents and pylorus was completely obstructed by the hypertrophy of mucosal folds.