Cecal torsion in a six month old holstein-friesian steer.

The clinical examination of a six month old Holstein-Friesian steer with a history of bloat and anorexia revealed a distended viscus in the right flank. At surgery, the distended viscus was found to be the cecum which was about 1.37 m (4.5 feet) long and more than 30 cm (one foot) in diameter. A counter-clockwise torsion of about 360 degrees (viewing from the right flank) involving the proximal portion of spiral colon was detected. A cecatomy was performed and a large quantity of rapeseed was removed. The torsion was reduced and the animal appeared to make an uneventful recovery but died suddenly six weeks later.