BackgroundParietal fibrinous peritonitis (PFP) and generalised peritonitis (GP) are two postoperative complications in cows, characterised by fluid and fibrin accumulation throughout the peritoneum (GP) or in an encapsulated cavity (PFP). Unlike GP, PFP is scarcely documented.MethodsTwenty-one GP cases and 12 PFP cases were confirmed by ultrasound in cows referred to the Veterinary Clinic (Liège University) for complications after caesarean section. All cows underwent a standardised examination protocol. Blood samples were analysed for metabolic and inflammatory markers. Bacteriology was performed on peritoneal fluid samples. Treatment consisted of surgical drainage of the abdominal cavity (GP) or the encapsulated cavity (PFP). Variables concerning anamnesis, clinical findings and treatment outcomes were compared.ResultsPerioperative complications had occurred in 9/21 GP cows but 0/12 PFP cows (P<0.05). Biochemical analysis indicated pronounced inflammation and did not differ between groups. Peritoneal fluid samples of both groups were contaminated and contained similar bacteria (Trueperella pyogenes and Escherichia coli). While 11/12 PFP cows were discharged, all patients with GP died or were euthanased (P<0.05).ConclusionsWe hypothesise that PFP and GP are two different manifestations of perioperative peritoneal contamination. The severity and spread of the contamination determine the clinical presentation and the prognosis.

Retained fetal membranes (RFM) is a frequent postpartum disorder in cattle causing considerable economic losses, and a common indication for antibiotic (AB) administration. There is controversy with regard to the treatment of RFM, and scientific recommendations are often in conflict with current legislation on AB use and practical routines in the field.The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic approaches of RFM by Belgian rural veterinarians. A digital survey was sent to 468 Belgian veterinarians; 149 complete questionnaires (Wallonia: 78; Flanders: 71) were obtained. Survey questions captured socio-demographic characteristics, case definition, therapeutic approaches and treatment options for RFM. Questions on treatment were duplicated for dairy and beef cattle.When confronted with dairy cows suffering from RFM without fever, 35.6 % of vets do not treat with AB, while the majority administers AB, either intrauterine (47.6 %), systemically (10.7 %) or both (6.1 %). Dairy cows with RFM and fever receive a systemic (33.5 %), intrauterine (2.7 %) or combined (61.8 %) AB treatment. For a beef cow with RFM without fever, 21.5 % of vets prefer no AB treatment, while others prefer an intrauterine (24.2 %), systemic (24.8 %), combined (29.5 %) AB treatment. Beef cows with RFM and fever receive AB from the large majority of vets, by systemic (34.9 %) or combined (56.3 %) administration. In case of a parenteral treatment, benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin and ampicillin are by far the most frequently used molecules; only a minority of vets use cephalosporins. Manual placental removal is attempted by 93.9 % of the respondents.These results demonstrate that there is room for improvement when considering the treatment protocols of RFM. Many veterinarians use AB in RFM cows not presenting symptoms of general illness, or administer intrauterine AB in cows with or without clinical signs of illness. Concerning the molecules of choice, practical routines are largely in line with national AB recommendations. Beef cows suffering from RFM are treated more rigorously than dairy cows, regardless of their rectal temperature.

The aim of this study was to identify the species and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria involved in parietal fibrinous peritonitis (PFP). We studied 156 peritoneal fluid samples from cows presenting PFP after caesarean section. Bacteria were cultured in selective media and their antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disk diffusion assay. Bacteria were isolated in the majority (129/156; 83%) of samples. The majority (82/129; 63%) of positive samples contained one dominant species, while two or more species were cultured in 47/129 (36%) samples. Trueperella pyogenes (T. Pyogenes) (107 strains) was the most identified species, followed by Escherichia coli (E. coli) (38 strains), Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) (6 strains), and Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) (6 strains). Several other species were sporadically identified. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested in 59/185 strains, predominantly E. coli (38 strains) and P. mirabilis (6 strains). Antibiotic resistance, including resistance to molecules of critical importance, was commonly observed; strains were classified as weakly drug resistant (22/59; 37%), multidrug resistant (24/59; 41%), extensively drug resistant (12/59; 20%), or pan-drug resistant (1/59; 2%). In conclusion, extensive antibiotic resistance in the isolated germs might contribute to treatment failure. Ideally, antimicrobial therapy of PFP should be based upon bacterial culture and susceptibility testing.

Little is known about thyroid diseases in ruminants, probably due to the lack of diagnosis techniques developed in this species. However, thyroid ultrasound (TU) is widely used in human and in companion animal’s medicine. It is a cheap and non-invasive examination, which allows for the identification of thyroid structures or diffuse diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of TU in five calves and five cows through inter- and intra-observer repeatability. The size of the thyroid gland was measured from three views: left sagittal, right sagittal and transverse; nine measurements per view. The intra-observer coefficient was calculated for each observer. For the inter-observer, the first observer was a board-certified imagist (European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging diplomate), the second was a board-certified specialist in bovine and herd management (European College of Bovine Health Managementdiplomate) and the third was an in-trained veterinarian for the TU. They each scanned the thyroid gland successively, following the same method. The intra-observer variabilities for observers 1, 2 and 3 were 8.22%, 5.53%, 5.38%, and 7.18%, 8.65% and 6.36%, respectively, for calves and cows. The inter-observer variability for calves was 10.4% and for cows, 11.8%. This study confirms the feasibility of repeatable intra- and inter-observer TU-estimated measurements in cattle.

In ruminants, the main documented clinical manifestation of aluminium (Al) intoxication is similar to grass tetany. In a 50 dairy cow Belgian herd, the farmer reported excessive uterine bleeding at calving and decreased milk production. Dairy cows received a mixed ration (MR) with high Al concentration (453 ppm/kg of dry matter (DM)). Various analyses were sampled from 10 sick cows and compared with 10 healthy cows (from another herd). Sick cows presented anaemia and marginal hypozincaemia and 6/10 showed subclinical ketosis. Their urine analysis revealed hypomagnesaemia and a high Al/creatinine ratio. It was advised to determine soil pH, add salts to the ration to chelate the Al and support cows with mineral supplements and propylene glycol. A visit was carried out 2 years later and highlighted an improvement in the situation, but all examined animals presented subclinical ketosis. Grass silage Al content remained high (700 ppm/kg DM), as did butyric acid concentration (11.22 g/kg DM). Al could be incriminated at different stages: micronutrient deficiencies, anaemia and negative energy balance. However, Al was probably not the only culprit. This case report is a concern for future years in these areas due to droughts, scarcity of forage and an increase in contaminated soil ingestion.