Caecal dilatation and torsion

CAECAL DILATATION AND TORSION

  • Dilatation and/or torsion of the caecum involves distension, displacement and torsion of the caecum including the spiral colon. 
    • Free end of caecum in cattle is devoid of mesentery and thus prone to rotation. Dilatation may preceed or follow the torsion.
    • Condition is more common in dairy cows following parturition
    • In buffaloes caecum is not predisposed to torsion because blind end is not devoid of mesentery

Etiology

Excessive feeding of grains

  • Results in production of increased concentration volatile fatty acids (VFA ) 
  • Gas due to fermentation of undigested grains
  • Volatile Fatty acids cause hypomotility or atony of the caecum resulting in accumulation of gas and ingesta with subsequent dilatation and possible torsion of the organ.

Clinical signs

  • Simple dilatation takes gradual course
  • Onset may be acute if torsion occurs
  • Clinical signs – similar to bowel obstruction
  • Abdominal pain – early course of disease
  • Rapid loss of appetite
  • Cessation of defecation
  • Dehydration
  • Temperature, pulse and respiration rate – normal
  • Subnormal temperature, tachycardia – in advanced cases of caecal torsion
  • Hypo motility or atony of rumen
  • Distended right paralumbar fossa
  • Tympanic resonance of right paralumbar fossa on auscultation and percussion
  • On rectal palpation – a long cylindrical movable gas filled structure in pelvic inlet or just close to pelvic bone
  • Rupture of distended caecum during transportation of animal is a possibility and if it occurs death is sudden 

Diagnosis

  • Based on  
    • History
    • Clinical signs
    • Auscultation and percussion
    • Rectal palpation
    • Right flank laparotomy
    • biochemistry
    • Hypochloremic, hypokalemic, metabolic alkolosis – 
    • Haemo concentration and azotaemia – similar in bowel obstruction 
    • Auscultation and percussion of right flank
    • Smaller resonant area and more caudal in case of caecal dilatation (in case of right side displacement of the abomasum -  more cranial)
Last modified: Tuesday, 27 September 2011, 7:06 AM