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Traumatic reticulitis
Synonym(s): pericardititis
Introduction
- Cause: perforation of the reticulum, usually by a sharp metallic object, such as a wire.
- Signs: GI stasis, thoracic or abdominal pain, reduced milk yield.
- Diagnosis: ultrasound of the cranioventral abdomen, rumenotomy.
- Treatment: insertion of reticular magnet, rumenotomy, antibiotics and NSAIDs.
- Prognosis: guarded - depends on extent of object penetration.
Breed/Species predisposition
- Generally more common in dairy cattle, due to feed management.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Sharp metal objects, typically wire (from the inner wall of tyres
) or nails, are ingested by the cow. - Can occur as cows do not completely masticate their food before swallowing.
- The object either falls directly into the reticulum after ingestion, or is pushed into the reticulum by ruminal contractions.
- The object doesn’t pass out of the reticulum as the reticulo-omasal opening is not at the most distal point, and objects get trapped in the honeycomb structure.
- The object penetrates the reticulum wall due to reticular contractions leading to leakage of bacteria and ingesta.
- Peritonitis develops producing reticular abscesses and adhesions.
- The object may penetrate the diaphragm and enter the lung:
- Lung abscess.
- Pleuritis.
- The object may penetrate the pericardium:
- Pericarditis Heart: pericarditis.
- Laceration of coronary artery - cardiac tamponade Cardiac tamponade.
- The object may occasionally penetrate the liver or spleen:
- Abscessation.
- Septicemia.
Pathophysiology
- Initial penetration of the reticulum, or breakdown of existing adhesions around an object allowing further movement can occur due to:
- Compression of the ruminoreticulum by the uterus in late pregnancy.
- Straining during parturition.
- Mounting during estrus.
- Initial acute peritonitis can be followed by chronic local peritonitis with localized adhesions
- This can present as cows just having vague signs of ill health with poor production.
- Rarely, diffuse generalized peritonitis can occur, especially following breakdown of previously formed adhesions.
Timecourse
- Generally acute disease over 24 hours.
- Possible to have more vague signs of ill health with chronic disease processes.
Epidemiology
- Generally individual animals affected, but can get herd outbreaks - for example, if a whole tyre is accidentally chopped up in the feed wagon.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Braun U (2009) Ultrasonography of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Cattle. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 25 (3), 567-590
- Orpin P & Harwood D (2008) Clinical management of traumatic reticuloperitonitis in cattle.
- (1994) Comparison of ultrasonographic and radiographic findings in cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis.
Other sources of information
- Roger W, Blowey A & David Weaver (2011) Chapter 4 - Alimentary disorders, Color Atlas of Diseases and Disorders of Cattle. 3rd edn. pp 53-82.
Organisation(s)
- The University of Edinburgh.