Exploratory Laparotomy Page 2

Here I am making an incision into the small intestine to examine the cause of the thickening.

Here you can see the thickened walls of the intestine.  Also note the absence of normal appearing intestinal lining.  Absorption of nutrients cannot be accomplished without a normal lining.

Here is another area of the intestinal tract showing the thickened intestinal walls.  Note the almost total absence of a lumen in this section.  Approximately 75 % of the small intestine was affected and there were smaller lesions in the large intestine.  The ileo-cecal junction was also involved.  Due to the extensive damage to the intestine and the fact that treatment was not possible Bull was euthanatized on the table at the owner's request.  A section of the intestine was sent to a pathology lab for analysis.

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