Etio-pathological studies on gastro-intestinal diseases of bovines

The present study was envisaged to elucidate the pathological, bacteriological and parasitological aspects of gastrointestinal tract disorders of bovines. Data pertains to 30 buffalo/cattle or calves brought for post-mortem to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, LLRUVAS, Hisar. The mortality was maximum in bovines of age group < 1 month. Regarding sex of bovines, mortality was higher in females than males. Digestive system diseases were the main cause of mortality in bovines. Grossly, buffalo liver, showed congestion, haemorrhage and distension of gall bladder. In intestine, there was congtestion and catarrhal enteritis in buffalo. There was enlargement and congestion in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Spleen showed splenomegaly, firmness and induration. Lungs showed p[neumonia, consolidation and presence of cysts. In kidney, congestion and softness of parenchyma were recorded. In heart, there were haemorrhages and hydropericardium. Changes observed in cattle were almost similar to that of buffalo except that enlargement was observed only in case of spleen. Microscopic lesions in buffalo liver were congestion in portal blood vessels, fatty changes in periportal area, bile duct hyperplasia with multiple focal areas of necrosis with tendency to form lymphoid follicles. In spleen, haemosiderosis and depletion with hyperplasia of cells of MPS was observed. In abomasums, ulcer formation in mucosa was noticed. In the intestine, there was desquamation, congestion and depletion of lymphocytes in Payer's patches. Mesenteric lymph nodes revealed severe congestion and depletion of lymphoid follicles in cortex. Serous inflammation and granulomatous lesion were recorded in lungs with caseative necrosis in centre. In heart, fragmentation of muscle fibres and Sarcocystic spp. in myocardium were observed. In kidneys, there was glomerulonephritis and necrosis of glomerular tuft along with lymphocytic infiltration and proliferation of fibrous connective tissue. In case of cattle, microscopic lesions were almost similar to buffalo except congestion with swelling and hydropic changes in hepatocytes. Spleen revealed haemorrhage and focal necrosis in white pulp in few cases. In kidneys, there was coagulative necrosis. The gross and histopathological lesions scores were higher in buffalo than cattle. Cultural isolation of suspected etiological agents revealed that E.coli was the most prevalent bacteria followed by Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. in bovines. Amikacin was found to be the most sensitive antibiotic in overall sensitivity to all the organisms and oxytetracycline was found to be the most resistant. Parasitic examination of intestinal contents revealed presence of Strongyle eggs.