Ultrasonographic identification of pancreolithiasis in a Holstein cow: a case report

This report describes a case of pancreolithiasis in a five-year-old Holstein cow. The patient displayed depression, ataxia, inappetence, weight loss, and intermittent fever. Haematological and serum biochemical profiles revealed leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminaemia, hypergammaglobulinaemia, hyperglycaemia and increased activities of lactate dehydrogenase. Amylase and lipase levels were within normal limits. Ultrasonographic examination of the pancreas revealed a distortion of the normal triangular shape of the organ with a tendency toward a hypoechogenic pattern and pancreatic stones with distal acoustic shadowing. Necropsy confirmed the sonographic diagnosis. The present case indicates that ultrasonography is an effective noninvasive means of identifying pancreatic calculi, and indicates the usefulness of ultrasonography as a tool for the diagnosis of pancreolithiasis in cattle.