DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA ASSOCIATED WITH TRAUMATIC RETICULOPERITONITIS IN A JERSEY COW.

Abstract

A diaphragmatic hernia associated with traumatic reticuloperitonitis in a Jersey cow is reported. The animal presented at approximately 90 days of pregnancy has history of ruminal bloat, anorexia, emaciation and weakness. Physical examination showed intense bloating of the left paralumbar fossa, hypomotility and ruminal tympanic resonance. Ororuminal intubation and rumenocentesis were inefficient and the rumen remained distended due to a large amount of ingesta. During exploratory laparorumenotomy, around 80 liters of ruminal content, a piece of a rope located in the rumen and several perforating metallic foreign bodies and rocks from the reticulum were removed. During internal palpation of the reticulum, the existence of a diaphragmatic hernia projecting a small segment of the cranial reticulum into the thoracic cavity was documented. At the 15th postoperative day, surgical wound dehiscence with fetid yellowish purulent exudation was observed and the animal was euthanatized. Clinical, surgical and anatomopathological findings suggest that diaphragmatic hernia was acquired as a consequence of the perforation of the reticulum by restrained foreign bodies, with diaphragm rupture, migration of cranial portion of the reticulum and foreign bodies to the thorax.

KEY-WORDS: Cattle. Perforating foreign object. Diaphragmatic hernia. Traumatic reticuloperitonitis.