SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF PHYTOBEZOAR INDUCED MECHANICAL AND FUNCTIONAL ILEUS WITH PROCTOCLYSIS IN A PREGNANT COW – A CASE REPORT

A four year old five months pregnant cross bred Jersey cow weighing 245 kgs was presented with the history of anorexia and complete cessation of defecation for past ten days. Clinical findings were distended intestinal loops, dehydration, hyper motility of rumen, tachycardia and empty rectum suggestive of ileus. Pre- operatively proctoclysis along with fluid therapy, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and supportive treatment were administered. Per rectal examination revealed empty rectum with gravid uterus with distended intestinal loops. Animal was anaesthetized with xylazine, butorphanol and ketamine with regional anaesthesia. Right flank exploratory laparotomy confirmed the presence of phytobezoar at the ileo-caeco-colic junction which was responsible for mechanical and functional ileus. Phytobezoar was removed through enterotomy. Post operatively animal was administered with antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and supportive treatment for 5 days. The animal recovered uneventfully and resumed normal feeding and voided faeces on third post operative day. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis, proctoclysis and prompt surgical intervention in the successful management of phytobezoar induced ileus in pregnant cattle.