# Ileus Caused by Compression of the Small Intestine in 35 Cows

## TL;DR

This study examines 35 cows with intestinal blockage caused by compression of the small intestine, showing that the condition is rare and often requires surgery for diagnosis.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and outcomes of ileus caused by compression of the small intestine in cattle.

## Key findings

- CSI is rare and often requires surgery for diagnosis due to overlapping symptoms with other forms of ileus.
- Cows with CSI caused by adhesions or a gravid uterus had better prognoses than those with abscesses.
- Most cows with CSI underwent surgery, with some recovering and others euthanized intraoperatively.

## Abstract

Ileus (Latinisation of the Greek εἰλεός ileós) is the interruption of the passage of intestinal contents (intestinal obstruction). Ileus can be either functional (paralytic) or mechanical; the latter is most common in cattle and can be caused by intussusception, strangulation, incarceration, volvulus, mesenteric torsion, and compression of the small intestine. Ileus attributable to compression of the small intestine (CSI) describes extensive constriction of the intestine by nearby space-occupying lesions or other abdominal organs. This retrospective study describes the findings, treatment, and outcome in 35 cows with ileus caused by CSI by adhesions, abscesses, and the gravid uterus. CSI can rarely be diagnosed without surgery because the clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings of the different forms of ileus overlap. However, a correct diagnosis is important since the prognoses of the different forms of ileus vary greatly. In cows with CSI, the prognosis depends primarily on the cause of the compression and is much better in cows with compression caused by adhesions or the gravid uterus compared with an abscess. Thirty-one of the thirty-five cows underwent right flank laparotomy; fourteen of these were euthanised intraoperatively, and seventeen recovered and were subsequently discharged.

Ileus attributable to compression of the small intestine describes extensive constriction of the intestine by nearby space-occupying lesions or other abdominal organs. This retrospective study describes the findings in 35 cows with ileus caused by CSI (compression of the small intestine) by adhesions, abscesses, and the gravid uterus. Colic occurred in 34.3% of the cows. Rumen motility was reduced or absent in all cows, and intestinal motility was decreased in 85.7%. Ballottement and/or percussion and simultaneous auscultation were positive on the right side in 73.5% of the cows. The rectum contained little or no faeces in all cows, and transrectal examination revealed dilated small intestine in 25.7% of the cows, but the actual site of compression could not be palpated. The main ultrasonographic findings were reduced or absent intestinal motility and dilated loops of small intestine. Thirty-one of the thirty-five cows underwent right flank laparotomy; fourteen of these were euthanised intraoperatively, and seventeen recovered and were subsequently discharged. CSI is a rare cause of ileus. Improvements in the diagnosis of CSI are needed to prevent unnecessary laparotomy in cows with a grave prognosis.