Microcardia associated with traumatic reticulo pericarditis (TRP) in an adult female Ayrshire cow: a case report.

A 7 months pregnant Ayrshire cow raised in open fields in Dandora area, Nairobi was presented to the Large Animal Clinic, University of Nairobi, on 6/11/2017 with a history of being off feed for a week and constipated She had been treated for two weeks with Magnesium Sulphate oral drench and gentamycin injection without significant improvement. A week later, she deteriorated becaming completely anorexic and developed brisket oedema. General exam revealed good body condition, dullness and depression, predominant abdominal breathing, brisket oedema, careful gait, pronounced elbow abduction, distended jugular vein, grunting and teeth grinding. On physical examination the respiratory rate was 24 breathes per minute with a strong character, pulse rate of 92 beats per minute, temperature of 40.70 degrees Celsius, splashing heart sound, suppressed thoracic respiration and harsh lung sounds. Haematological analysis showed anaemia, evident by decreased haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count. Leucocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphopaenia was also evident. A tentative diagnosis of terminal traumatic reticulo-pericarditis was made carrying a grave prognosis. Euthanasia was indicated but the cow died in the night of 8/11/2017. Post mortem revealed hydro-peritoneum, hydro-thorax, three (3) wires piercing through the reticula wall and diaphragm to the pericardial sac, fibrinous adhesions of reticulum, diaphragm and pericardium. The heart was atrophied with the pericardial sac holding 12 litres of creamy liquefied content with fibrin attachments. This report documents atrophied heart associated traumatic reticulo-pericarditis caused by several wires penetrating through the diaphragm in a cow raised in peri-urban area. In conclusion, the cow was from an urban farm and farming in such areas is more likely to predispose cattle to TRP due to uncontrolled grazing in urban centred which exposes them to unsafe foraging areas and fodder.