Gastroschisis‐Like Defect in a Crossbred Bovine Calf: Anatomical, Clinical and Surgical Perspectives

Congenital abdominal wall defects with evisceration are relatively uncommon in bovine neonates. This report describes a gastroschisis-like anomaly in a one-day-old female crossbred calf, suspected to result from the prenatal rupture of an omphalocele. The condition was characterised by evisceration of the pyloric abomasum and a portion of the small intestine through a ventral abdominal wall defect (involving the umbilical ring) without a protective sac. Clinically, the calf presented with generalised weakness, lateral recumbency and an inability to suckle. Physical examination revealed hypothermia and mild cardiorespiratory depression, while the eviscerated organs appeared viable. Hematobiochemical evaluation demonstrated hyperlactatemia, mild hemoconcentration, borderline hypoproteinemia, hypoglycemia and electrolyte imbalances, alongside elevated renal biomarkers. Radiographic examination revealed no additional abnormalities. Following stabilisation with fluid therapy and active warming, surgical management involved the reduction of eviscerated contents and closure of the abdominal defect. Intraoperative findings of membranous sac remnants supported a diagnosis of prenatal sac rupture. The calf recovered uneventfully with postoperative supportive care, achieving complete healing by Day 29. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case of a gastroschisis-like defect with abomasal evisceration in a bovine calf. This condition represents a clinical emergency and should be included in the differential diagnosis for neonatal calves with ventral abdominal wall defects.