Atresia ani. defecation through vulva
Keywords: atresia ani, calf, bovine
Image size: 5872 x 3640 px
A three-month-old Holstein calf presented for tenesmus and inability to defecate. This animal had been on a milk replacement diet since birth but began to show symptoms when placed on a solid diet. The animal was euthanized. The external appearance of the perineum suggested partial development of the anus and anal sphincter but the absence of any connection with the rectum. Watery feces had passed through a small fistula connecting the dorsal aspect of the vestibule with the rectum. The vestibule was inflamed but the tract cranial to the hymen appeared to be normal.
At three months of age, there was substantial evidence of follicle development on both ovaries.
