Clinical findings of pericardiocentesis in cattle with traumatic pericarditis

After diagnosing traumatic pericarditis on the basis of clinical examination, pericardiocentesis was performed in 12 cattle. All the animals were presented with the history of variable duration of brisket oedema and anorexia (except one). Heart auscultation revealed muffled, splashing and frictional sounds. The pericardial fluid was found purulent and its volume was ≥1 L in the 1^st or subsequent pericardiocentesis in 9 cases. No fluid was recovered during pericardiocentesis in 2 cases. Brisket oedema decreased in 8 cases and the appetite restored partially in 4 cases and completely in 2 cases after starting the pericardiocentesis procedure. The survival period of animals after pericardiocentesis ranged from 3 days to 7 weeks.