Cecal infarction in a Holstein Friesian calf
Abstract
Calf diarrhoea is an important health issue in livestock production worldwide, its management representing a relevant part of routine veterinary practice. The aetiology of diarrhoea is multifactorial, and includes environmental factors and infectious pathogens (viruses, bacteria, protozoa). Infectious and non-infectious agents usually act together, thus the diagnosis of calf scours is challenging and often requires suitable laboratory tests. Pathological findings are also valuable in making the correct diagnosis, which is a prerequisite for proper management of any herd health issue.
We report herein a case of cecal infarction, which recently occurred in a two-week-old female Holstein Friesian calf. The calf belonged to a medium-sized dairy farm and appeared unhealthy since birth. During the last few days, the calf developed diarrhoea with a fatal outcome, despite antibiotic and fluid therapy. At necropsy, multiple and large foci of ischaemic necrosis were observed along the anti-mesenteric side of the cecum, they were pale, sharply demarcated and surrounded by a hyperemic halo. Microscopically, coagulative necrosis of the cecal wall was seen, more pronounced at the level of the outer smooth muscle layer, while a thick band of neutrophils infiltrated the submucosa and the inner smooth muscle layer. Pathological findings largely overlapped those previously described in literature and allowed the final diagnosis of cecal infarction.
Intestinal infarction is common in companion animals, mostly in horses, and often results from intestinal displacement (strangulation, intussusception, volvulus) or thromboembolism (e.g., parasitic endarteritis). On the other hand, cecal infarction is rarely diagnosed in bovines. According to literature, cecal infarction affects neonatal/young calves (<30 days), no correlation has been demonstrated with any pathogens and/or concurrent disease conditions, and coagulative necrosis involves almost exclusively the anti-mesenteric side of the cecal wall. The aetiopathogenesis of cecal infarction is currently unknown. In humans, it likely results from a state of low blood flow. Reasonably, a similar pathogenesis could be also hypothesized in the calf under investigation.
Overall, the present case report confirms that necropsy is still a valuable tool in livestock health management, providing a more reliable diagnosis even when clinical findings are taken for granted. Systematic necropsy of calves is crucial to estimate the true prevalence and impact of livestock diseases, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of preventive/therapeutic measures implemented.
