Intussusception secondary to retroflexion of a proximal jejunal diverticulum, leading to Type 3 vagal indigestion with severe hypochloraemia in an adult Simmental bull (Bos taurus)

Intussusception is a rare but well described cause of intestinal obstruction in several species, including cattle, and is often associated with enteritis, intestinal parasitism or intestinal neoplasia. Clinical signs are non-specific and include anorexia with reduced faecal output.

This report describes a four-year-old Simmental bull that presented with anorexia and reduced faecal output, along with severe ruminal bloat and a large, dilated intestinal loop palpated rectally. Serum biochemistry identified severe hypochloraemia, consistent with proximal intestinal obstruction and a poor prognosis. Although supportive and symptomatic treatment was provided, the bull died before a definitive diagnosis could be made.

Post-mortem examination identified a segmental intestinal intussusception, within the proximal jejunum, which had resulted in intestinal obstruction. The primary cause of this intussusception was a retroflexed intestinal diverticulum, which formed the intussusceptum.