Successful reduction of cholelithiasis in a Holstein cow

peer reviewedA pregnant 3.5 year-old high-productive Holstein cow in the third month of lactation showed colic signs, marked anorexia, and stopped milk production. Clinical examination revealed tachypnea, pyrexia and the mucous membranes were all congested. Signs of abdominal discomfort were observed, the abdomen was tense and painful; digestive activity was poor. Blood investigations revealed inflammation, cholestasis, and leucocytosis with marked neutrophilia. Trans-abdominal ultrasonography revealed decreased digestive transit and enlarged gall-bladder. Hepatic or biliary involvement was suspected. A right-flank exploratory laparotomy revealed a gallbladder filled with firm and mobile 0.5 to 1cm diameter fluctuant masses. Digital palpation allowed cholelith extraction through the cystic duct into the duodenum. After the surgery, the cow progressively regained a normal appetite and pain signs decreased. Blood samples analysed 10 days after the surgery still showed inflammation but to a lesser extent. Hepatic enzymes were markedly increased, indicating hepatic injury. Three months after the surgery, the cow was healthy and was inseminated. This case report suggests that cholelithiasis may be diagnosed and successfully treated in early stage of the disease in cattle, though this condition is rare in this species. This is the second report of manual cholelith extraction in a cow

RETEX : Accident on the public road, Trans-Pork

editorial reviewedUn accident impliquant un camion de transport d'animaux (200 porcs) a nécessité le concours de vétérinaires-urgentistes secours & catastrophe (VUSC). Les VUSC ont œuvré avec les services de secours (pompiers) et la police afin d'extraire les cochons du camion, effectuer le triage médical, effectuer les soins d'urgence, procéder à l'évacuation des animaux et enfin réaliser les euthanasies nécessaires pour des raisons de bien-être animal

RETEX : Immediate and deferred actions of Emergency Rescue & Disaster Veterinarian during floods in Belgium (July 2021)

editorial reviewedLes inondations en Wallonie en 2021 ont constitué un événement catastrophique, par leur caractère inopiné, de grande amplitude, faisant un grand nombre de victimes, avec des répercussions sanitaires, économiques et psycho-sociales. Les vétérinaires-urgentistes secours & catastrophe (VUSC) sont intervenus pour sauver des centaines d'animaux. Ils ont opéré selon un canevas de 6 objectifs distincts, sans se mettre en danger: 1) visite des centres d'accueil, 2) dons pour les animaux, 3) hébergement transitoire d'animaux, 4) récupération d'animaux sur le terrain, 5) soutien médical aux équipes cynotechniques (police, sécurité civile), 6) soins urgents, sauvetages urgentes, captures. Les VUSC attendent une reconnaissance officielle de leurs missions afin d'être plus efficaces lors de prochaines crises/catastrophes

Speed of sound measurements in the evaluation of bone properties in Holstein

peer reviewe

Bluetongue in Captive Yaks

In August 2006, several Northern European countries including Belgium reported their first cases of bluetongue (BT). Surprisingly, it was the first time that BT was diagnosed so far in the northern hemisphere (1). BT is a non contagious, arthropod borne animal disease. The causal virus belongs to the genus Orbivirus in the family Reoviridae. The genome of the bluetongue virus (BTV) consists of 10 segments of double-stranded RNA and 24 serotypes have been reported (2). Serotype 8 (BTV-8) was implied in the emergence in Belgium (3). All ruminant species are thought to be susceptible to BT (2) but lack of data remains for certain species. We report here laboratory confirmed clinical cases of BT in yaks