Postpartum atony of the small and large intestine in a Holstein cow: a case of pseudo-obstruction.

A four-year-old Holstein, 23 days postpartum, was presented with abdominal distention. Gas filled viscera were detected in the right paralumbar fossa and pelvic canal. Surgery revealed cecal and colonic distention and generalized intestinal atony. There was no other evidence of gross pathology. The condition deteriorated during five post-operative days. Gross postmortem findings were not remarkable; histopathology revealed ganglionitis of the cranial mesenteric ganglion and myenteric plexus. A brief review of relevant literature for a differential diagnosis and an etiology is discussed.