title: Signs of abdominal pain caused by disruption of the small intestinal mesentery in three postparturient cows.
abstract: Three Holstein cows were admitted on postpartum day 3 with signs of abdominal pain, inappetence, and decreased milk production. All 3 were depressed, tachycardic, and dehydrated. Right paralumbar fossa laparotomy was performed on each cow. At surgery, a rent in the proximal portion of the jejunal mesentery, with perforation of the jejunum adjacent to the mesenteric rent, was found in all 3 cows. All had evidence of severe peritonitis and gross contamination of the abdomen with digesta. Because of severe peritonitis and inability to exteriorize the affected segment of jejunum, all 3 cows were euthanatized. We postulate that the mesenteric rent occurred at the time of parturition, resulting in ischemia and jejunal perforation in the segment of jejunum adjacent to the rent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square 19348.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Garber
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Madison
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008643:Mesentery / Q000293:injuries*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*