Retrospective study of esophageal obstruction cases caused by foreign body in ruminants treated at bovine clinic, universidade federal rural de Pernambuco, Garanhuns Campus, between 1980 and 2010.
Souza M. I. de, Afonso J. A. B., Costa N. A., Coutinho L. T., Silva Filho A. P.
Author Affiliation: Clínica de Bovinos, Campus Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Avenida Bom Pastor, S/No Bairro: Boa Vista, Garanhuns-PE, CEP 55.292.170, Brazil.
Veterinária e Zootecnia 18 : 269-272
Abstract : The aim of the present study was to analyze the occurrence of esophageal obstruction in ruminants. A retrospective clinical-epidemiological study was carried out using the clinical charts of ruminants treated at the Bovine Clinic of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Garanhuns Campus, state of Pernambuco, Brazil, between January 1980 and December 2010. Among the total of 16,751 cases, 348 diagnoses of esophageal obstruction were found. The most common causes were the ingestion of the fruits such as mango (123 cases), cassava (78 cases), jackfruit (26 cases), among other types (12 cases), and tubers. The fruit harvest in the region accounted for the occurrence of 80% of such cases between January and July. The most evident clinical signs were anxious behavior, restlessness, vigorous attempts at swallowing, extended head and tympanism. Twenty-seven cases occurred in animals under one year of age, 70 occurred in animals up to 2.5 year of age, 147 occurred in animals between three and five years of age, and 93 occurred in animals older than five years of age. The use of Thygesen's probing allowed the extraction of 243 foreign bodies. Extraction was unsuccessful in 51 cases and the foreign body was pushed toward the rumen. Four surgeries were performed. Forty-seven animals were indicated for slaughter. Two animals died prior to receiving treatment. One animal expelled the foreign body spontaneously. Regarding clinical resolution, successful expulsion was achieved in 80.2% of the cases; 13.5% were indicated for slaughter and 4.6% died. Esophageal obstruction is directly related to issues of animal management, such as the ease of access to fruit tree groves, the voluntary offering of cassava and palm of inadequate size for mastication and rumination and negligence in the installations cleaning.