Author/Authors :
Smith, Joe S. Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine - Iowa State University, Ames, USA , Zhou, Xueying Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center - Iowa State University, Ames, USA , Merkatoris, Paul T. Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center - Iowa State University, Ames, USA , Klostermann, Cassandra A. Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center - Iowa State University, Ames, USA , Breuer, Ryan M. Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center - Iowa State University, Ames, USA
Abstract :
A two and a half-year old Simmental bull was presented to Iowa State University’s Food Animal and Camelid Hospital for anorexia
and lethargy of several days. Clostridium perfringens type A was identied via fecal culture and toxin genotyping. Hemorrhagic
bowel syndrome (HBS) was diagnosed based on microbiological results along with abdominal ultrasonography, complete blood
count, and serum biochemistry. Aggressive multi-modal therapy was employed including intravenously administered uid therapy,
potassium penicillin, lidocaine, unixin, and pantoprazole among other supportive care. e bull was discharged aer 15 days of
hospitalization and recovered uneventfully to full function by the next breeding season. Currently all case reports with regard to
HBS in beef cattle describe mortality. While the dairy cattle literature demonstrates that HBS has a high mortality rate, and suggests
that surgical intervention has a higher prognosis when compared to medical therapy in dairy cattle. Our case would provide support
to aggressive medical treatment for HBS in beef cattle.
