ICVA Bovine Surgical Principles 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which condition is the most common indication for performing a rumenotomy in cattle?
- Traumatic reticuloperitonitis (hardware disease) (Correct answer)
- Bloat unresponsive to trocarization
- Rumen acidosis
- Vagal indigestion syndrome
Correct answer: Traumatic reticuloperitonitis (hardware disease)
Traumatic reticuloperitonitis caused by swallowed metallic foreign bodies is the most common indication for rumenotomy, allowing removal of the foreign object.
Question 2: In a standing left flank laparotomy for left displaced abomasum correction using toggle-pin suture, what is the main risk of this technique?
- Inadvertent fixation of rumen instead of abomasum (Correct answer)
- Excessive hemorrhage at the toggle site
- Peritoneal adhesion to omentum
- Failure of the incision to heal
Correct answer: Inadvertent fixation of rumen instead of abomasum
If the abomasum is not properly identified, the toggle pin may inadvertently fix the rumen to the body wall, causing persistent signs and requiring surgical revision.
Question 3: What is the most common complication following surgical repair of a bovine umbilical hernia?
- Seroma formation (Correct answer)
- Hernia recurrence
- Wound dehiscence
- Peritonitis
Correct answer: Seroma formation
Seroma formation is the most common post-operative complication after umbilical hernia repair in cattle due to dead space created during dissection.
Question 4: During digit amputation in cattle, at which level is the digit most commonly amputated?
- Proximal interphalangeal joint (Correct answer)
- Distal interphalangeal joint
- Fetlock joint level
- Mid-pastern level
Correct answer: Proximal interphalangeal joint
Amputation at the proximal interphalangeal joint (pastern joint) preserves more of the weight-bearing surface and is the standard approach in bovine digit amputation.
Question 5: Which nerve block is used to desensitize the foot of a bovine patient for digit surgery?
- Intravenous regional anesthesia (Bier block) (Correct answer)
- Sciatic nerve block
- Femoral nerve block
- Pudendal nerve block
Correct answer: Intravenous regional anesthesia (Bier block)
Intravenous regional anesthesia (Bier block) using lidocaine is the most practical and effective technique for desensitizing the bovine foot below the tourniquet.
Question 6: A cow with a chronic abscess of the dewclaw region unresponsive to antibiotics requires what surgical intervention?
- Dewclaw amputation (Correct answer)
- Digit amputation at the distal interphalangeal joint
- Deep digital flexor tenotomy
- Interdigital neurectomy
Correct answer: Dewclaw amputation
Dewclaw amputation is the definitive treatment for chronic dewclaw abscess when antibiotic therapy has failed and the infection is localized to that structure.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of using an omental wrap during rumenotomy closure?
- To reduce risk of leakage and promote healing at the closure site (Correct answer)
- To prevent bloat post-operatively
- To anchor the rumen to the body wall permanently
- To absorb excess ruminal fluid
Correct answer: To reduce risk of leakage and promote healing at the closure site
Wrapping omentum around the ruminotomy closure site helps seal potential leaks and promotes fibrin adhesion and healing of the incision.
ICVA Bovine Surgical Principles 3
Which condition is the most common indication for performing a rumenotomy in cattle?