Rumen Impaction with Polythene Bag in an Adult Balami Ram: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Rumen impaction in ruminants constitutes one of the numerous factors that can lead to losses in livestock if not appropriately addressed. The present study aimed to diagnose and resolve a case of rumen impaction in an adult ram.
Case report: A 3-year-old Balami ram weighing 40.4 kilograms was presented to the veterinary teaching hospital, University of Jos, Nigeria, with a one-week history of coughing and severe inspiratory dyspnea. Clinical examination revealed rectal temperature (40.7 °C), tachycardia (120 beats/min), tachypnea, congested ocular mucous membranes, bruxism due to pain, rough hair coat, absent rumen motility, and a firm palpable mass was felt in the rumen following palpation of the left abdominal wall. Hematological parameters were evaluated upon arrival at the veterinary hospital and were within normal reference values. Based on the clinical findings, a diagnosis of rumen impaction with suspected indigestible foreign material was made. An emergency left-flank rumenotomy was performed following intravenous sedation with 4 mg xylazine at 0.1 mg/kg and local anesthesia with local infiltration of 80 mg lidocaine at 2 mg/kg. A large compacted polythene bag weighing 3.1 kilograms was carefully removed after exteriorization of the rumen, followed by thorough lavage with normal saline. The rumen was closed with a Cushing suture pattern and returned to the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum and musculature, subcutaneous tissues, and the skin were routinely closed. Postoperative management included 4 mL of amoxicillin, 1.6 mL of diclofenac, and wound dressing. The ram recovered uneventfully without complications, and sutures were removed on postoperative day 15. Normal appetite, rumination, and respiratory pattern were restored by day 3 post-surgery.
Conclusion: A successful outcome was achieved through rumenotomy. The present study highlighted polythene-induced rumen impaction as an emerging and potentially life-threatening condition in small ruminants living in urban and rural areas of developing countries, where the careless disposal of plastic waste increased the risk of ingestion.