Transrectal ultrasonographic diagnosis of jejunoileal intussusception in a cow

422 peer reviewed Intussusception is defined as the invagination of a portion of bowel into the lumen of the adjacent segment of bowel (Smith, 1985). Intussusception, one of the causes of intestinal obstruction, is not a common gastrointestinal condition in cattle (Pearson and Pinsent, 1977; Smith, 1985; Smith, 1990) and is usually seen in calves less than two months old (Constable et al., 1997). The cause of an intussusception is often unknown but any condition that alters intestinal motility has been implicated (Aytug, 1991; Constable et al., 1997). It is suggested that intussusception can represent a diagnostic challenge in cattle medicine. History, clinical and clinicopathologic examinations are important in the diagnosis of intussusception (Constable, et. al, 1997; Smith, 1984). Although ultrasonography has been commonly used as a diagnostic tool to detect internal diseases of large animals, there is limited ultrasonographic data demonstrating intussusceptions in cattle (Braun et al., 1995; Edens et al., 1996; Braun, 2003). This case report describes a small intestinal intussusception in a cow and the transrectal ultrasonographic view of the lesion.