A ‘twist of fate’: Gall bladder torsion in a 10‐year‐old ram with cerebrocortical necrosis (polioencephalomalacia)

Abstract A 10‐year‐old ram with central nervous signs was euthanased due to animal welfare reasons and submitted for postmortem examination. The animal was previously treated with antibiotics and cortisone. At postmortem examination, yellow discoloration and malacia of the cerebrum were noted (polioencephalomalacia, cerebrocortical necrosis). Ultraviolet light and histological examination of the brain confirmed this diagnosis, which was considered the cause of the neurological signs. Inspection of the abdomen showed an enlarged gall bladder due to a rotation about its long axis (torsion). Causes of cerebrocortical necrosis in (small) ruminants are already described in the literature. This case report will focus on the pathology of the gall bladder, which is the first documentation of gall bladder torsion in a small ruminant.