Surgical removal of an intraperitoneal foreign body in a Swiss Simmental cow with a magnet

INTRODUCTION This case report describes the surgical removal of a foreign body from the abdominal cavity in a Swiss Simmental cow with a disinfected magnet. The procedure was performed from the right flank a few days after a ruminotomy. An inflamed connective tissue mass was found and prepared. Since manual palpation could not locate the foreign body, a disinfected magnet was inserted into the mass and a crooked, headless nail of 3 cm length was removed. Ten days postsurgical antimicrobial treatment was necessary due to the local peritonitis. The cow recovered well after the second surgery and showed very good eating and ruminating behavior.