Paralytic ileus in 57 cows – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Abstract Background Paralytic ileus (PI) also known as functional ileus or adynamic ileus occurs when intestinal motor activity is impaired. Cessation of ingesta passage leads to the accumulation of fluid and gas causing intestinal dilatation. With this type of ileus, intestinal transit is functiona...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-025-00817-6 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849334541220577280 |
|---|---|
| author | Ueli Braun Christian Gerspach Rahel Scheiwiller Monika Hilbe Karl Nuss |
| author_facet | Ueli Braun Christian Gerspach Rahel Scheiwiller Monika Hilbe Karl Nuss |
| author_sort | Ueli Braun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Paralytic ileus (PI) also known as functional ileus or adynamic ileus occurs when intestinal motor activity is impaired. Cessation of ingesta passage leads to the accumulation of fluid and gas causing intestinal dilatation. With this type of ileus, intestinal transit is functionally impaired in the absence of a physical obstruction. The present retrospective study describes the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of 57 cows with PI. Results Colic occurred in 43.9% of the cows, and intestinal and rumen motility was reduced or absent in 92.9% (52/56) and 82.5% (47/57) of the cows, respectively. Ballottement and/or percussion and simultaneous auscultation on the right were also positive in 82.5% of the cows. Faecal output was minimal or absent in 94.7% (54/57) of the cows, and dilated small intestines and occasionally large intestines were palpated transrectally in 57.1% (32/56). The principal laboratory abnormalities were hypokalaemia (89.4%, 51/57), hypocalcaemia (87.5%, 35/40), hypermagnesaemia (77.5%, 31/40), positive base excess (57.4%, 27/47), acidosis (55.3%, 26/47) and hypercapnia (53.2%, 25/47). Ultrasonography in 50 cows revealed dilated small intestines with reduced or absent motility. Eleven cows had received medical treatment alone, 45 had undergone right flank laparotomy and one was euthanized immediately after clinical examination. Fifty-four (94.7%) cows were discharged and three (5.3%) were euthanized. Conclusions Paralytic and mechanical ileus are difficult to differentiate using non-invasive methods, which impacts treatment decisions. The prognosis of cattle with PI is good with adequate treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-71da94f20e2d4c599ff3ef52a4cc5ff2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1751-0147 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica |
| spelling | doaj-art-71da94f20e2d4c599ff3ef52a4cc5ff22025-08-20T03:45:32ZengBMCActa Veterinaria Scandinavica1751-01472025-06-0167111110.1186/s13028-025-00817-6Paralytic ileus in 57 cows – symptoms, diagnosis and treatmentUeli Braun0Christian Gerspach1Rahel Scheiwiller2Monika Hilbe3Karl Nuss4Department of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of ZurichDepartment of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of ZurichDepartment of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of ZurichInstitute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of ZurichDepartment of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of ZurichAbstract Background Paralytic ileus (PI) also known as functional ileus or adynamic ileus occurs when intestinal motor activity is impaired. Cessation of ingesta passage leads to the accumulation of fluid and gas causing intestinal dilatation. With this type of ileus, intestinal transit is functionally impaired in the absence of a physical obstruction. The present retrospective study describes the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of 57 cows with PI. Results Colic occurred in 43.9% of the cows, and intestinal and rumen motility was reduced or absent in 92.9% (52/56) and 82.5% (47/57) of the cows, respectively. Ballottement and/or percussion and simultaneous auscultation on the right were also positive in 82.5% of the cows. Faecal output was minimal or absent in 94.7% (54/57) of the cows, and dilated small intestines and occasionally large intestines were palpated transrectally in 57.1% (32/56). The principal laboratory abnormalities were hypokalaemia (89.4%, 51/57), hypocalcaemia (87.5%, 35/40), hypermagnesaemia (77.5%, 31/40), positive base excess (57.4%, 27/47), acidosis (55.3%, 26/47) and hypercapnia (53.2%, 25/47). Ultrasonography in 50 cows revealed dilated small intestines with reduced or absent motility. Eleven cows had received medical treatment alone, 45 had undergone right flank laparotomy and one was euthanized immediately after clinical examination. Fifty-four (94.7%) cows were discharged and three (5.3%) were euthanized. Conclusions Paralytic and mechanical ileus are difficult to differentiate using non-invasive methods, which impacts treatment decisions. The prognosis of cattle with PI is good with adequate treatment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-025-00817-6CattleIntestinesParalytic ileus |
| spellingShingle | Ueli Braun Christian Gerspach Rahel Scheiwiller Monika Hilbe Karl Nuss Paralytic ileus in 57 cows – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica Cattle Intestines Paralytic ileus |
| title | Paralytic ileus in 57 cows – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment |
| title_full | Paralytic ileus in 57 cows – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment |
| title_fullStr | Paralytic ileus in 57 cows – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Paralytic ileus in 57 cows – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment |
| title_short | Paralytic ileus in 57 cows – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment |
| title_sort | paralytic ileus in 57 cows symptoms diagnosis and treatment |
| topic | Cattle Intestines Paralytic ileus |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-025-00817-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT uelibraun paralyticileusin57cowssymptomsdiagnosisandtreatment AT christiangerspach paralyticileusin57cowssymptomsdiagnosisandtreatment AT rahelscheiwiller paralyticileusin57cowssymptomsdiagnosisandtreatment AT monikahilbe paralyticileusin57cowssymptomsdiagnosisandtreatment AT karlnuss paralyticileusin57cowssymptomsdiagnosisandtreatment |