SURGICAL REMOVAL OF CONGENITAL EN MASSE EXTERNAL OBLIQUE ABDOMINIS RHABDOMYOMA IN CROSSBRED JERSEY COW

A five year old crossbred Jersey cow was presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Salem with a history of progressive weight loss, anorexia, and a large mass in the left abdominal region since birth. Clinical examination revealed a 30 cm diameter ulcerated, solid mass on the left lateral abdomen, extending from the ninth to the thirteenth rib. The mass was firm on palpation with localized inflammation and evidence of chronic tissue degeneration. Surgical excision was performed under multimodal anaesthesia with but orphanol and ketamine, combined with 2 % lignocaine as local infiltration. The surgical site was prepared aseptically and the mass was excised en masse using standard surgical technique. Haemostasis was achieved effectively and the wound was closed with non-absorbable sutures. Histopathological examination of the excised tissue confirmed the diagnosis of a rhabdomyoma. Postoperative care included daily wound dressing, systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatory therapy for three days. The cow exhibited an uneventful recovery, with complete healing and no recurrence observed one year after recovery. This case highlights the importance of diagnosis and surgical intervention for managing large abdominal neoplasms in cattle.