Holstein cow with evident jugular vein distension (video)
Cardiac causes: pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, myodystrophies, tumors or abscesses at the base of the heart.
Extracardiac causes: pleuritis, mediastinal adenopathies or tumors, pulmonary hypertension, jugular phlebitis or thrombosis.
The animal has not eaten or ruminated for two days, presents mild hyperthermia (39.1 °C); head extended on the neck, shallow and accelerated breathing; prominent episcleral vessels; rigid back, positive withers pinch test. History reports that the animal showed a drop in production about 2 weeks ago, which has gradually worsened. Auscultation over the cardiac area reveals tachycardia and friction and splashing sounds. The metal detector reveals the presence of a metallic foreign body at the level of the reticulum.
Diagnosis: traumatic reticulopericarditis due to foreign body.
Prognosis: poor.
