Piedmontese calf approximately 3 months of age. This condition predominantly affects fattening calves fed a diet low in fiber and rich in easily fermentable carbohydrates. Occasionally, it may result from mechanical compression of the esophagus due to enlargement of the mediastinal lymph nodes. In adult animals, abscesses may also be present at the reticulodiaphragmatic level, secondary to penetrating foreign bodies. Cases of partial esophageal obstruction due to papillomas on the mucosa have also been reported.
In the differential diagnosis of ruminal tympany, it is always necessary to rule out infection with Clostridium tetani.
Surgical rumenostomy is generally required (see images and video).
