» Peritonitis in a 4-month-old Piedmontese calf

A Piedmontese calf approximately 4 months of age was found dead unexpectedly. The clinical history reports that it lived in a pen with other calves, fed with maternal milk (cow-calf line) and with feed available. In the previous weeks, some animals, including the subject in question, had been treated for a febrile influenza-like illness (intramuscular antibiotics + NSAIDs), with a favorable outcome.
A necropsy was performed. External examination of the calf revealed no significant signs, other than pallor of the apparent mucous membranes, suggesting severe anemia, internal hemorrhage, or hemorrhagic enteritis.