Heifer having trouble pooping due to tumor near rectum

Abstract

One two-year-old, female, Friesian heifer was presented to the Farm Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, with a history of the inability of per-rectal hand insertion during artificial insemination. Further, it had been suffering from difficulty in defecation and severer straining for a longer period. Clinical examination revealed the protrusion of the perineum around the anus during defecation and the narrowed anal space. Surgical intervention under sedation with 2% Xylazine Hcl and posterior epidural anesthesia under the 2% Lignocaine Hcl was carried out. A cylindrical firm mass was detected around the posterior rectum and it was removed surgically. Microscopic examination showed that the mass is composed of non-encapsulated neoplastic tissue consisting of smooth muscles and fibrous tissue. It has been identified as fibroleiomyoma, which is a very rare neoplastic condition of cattle. Under the post-operative care, wound dressing and intramuscular injections of Flunixin meglumine, Tetanus toxoid, and long-acting Penicillin were carried out. The animal was discharged with the ability of usual defecation without difficulty in per-rectal examination 21 days postsurgically.