References
Ovarian abscessation and oophoritis in a first lactation dairy cow: a case report
Abstract
A 28-month-old first lactation dairy cow presented as ‘oestrus not observed’ and transrectal ultrasound showed a hyperechoic mass on the right ovary. The mass continued to grow despite treatment, and 8 weeks later a right-sided ovariectomy was performed. A single, large, cavitated mass was found on gross pathological examination with histopathology confirming ovarian abscessation and oophoritis, a rare condition in cattle.
Abscessation of the bovine reproductive tract is rare and usually diagnosed by transrectal ultrasound or post-mortem examination (Peavey et al, 2001). Mee et al (2009) found abscessation or adhesion of any part of the reproductive tract in just 1.2% of 7797 ultrasound examinations in 5751 Holstein-Friesian cattle, while Al-Dhash and David (1977) found no ovarian abscesses in 8071 bovine reproductive tracts examined at slaughter. Ovarian abscesses in cattle are thought to arise secondary to bacterial infection of the uterus (Zulu et al, 2000).
This case report discusses the surgical treatment of a 28-month-old first lactation dairy cow with a right ovarian mass, alongside the further investigations performed to reach a conclusive diagnosis of ovarian abscessation and oophoritis.
A first lactation, 28-month-old Holstein dairy cow was presented at a routine fertility visit at 47 days in milk for ‘oestrus not observed’. The cow had been examined at a previous routine fertility visit and treated for a grade 2 metritis at 21 days post calving with intramus-cular amoxicillin (Betamox 150 mg/ml, Norbrook Laboratories), 7 mg/kg for 3 days.
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