Abdominal distension Flashcards
In clinical exam what do we assess about rumen
shape - abdominal silhouette
fill
motility
T/F hypermotility is a common finding on clinical exam in cattle
False- uncommon
List 3 possible causes of hypomotility in cattle
Systemic inflammation
Increased sympathetic tone
Rumen distension or acidosis
List 11 differentials of abdominal distension in cattle
Bloat
Acidosis
Oesophageal obstruction
Pregnancy
Vagal indigestion
Urethral obstruction
GI obstruction, impaction or displacement
Traumatic reticulitis/TRP
Peritonitis
Ascites
Miscellaneous
what is primary bloat
frothy bloat
what is secondary bloat
gassy bloat
T/F bloat is an emergency
True
can fill rapidly
what is frothy bloat generally associated with
lush pasture, clover and legumes (peas, beans, lentils)
describe the pathophysiology of frothy bloat due to legumes
basically contents of the rumen become very viscous –> prevents relaxation of cardia –> eructation not possible
What are the clinical signs of frothy bloat
Abdominal enlargement of left-hand side when viewed from rear
Colic
decreased rumen motility
Describe how to differentially diagnose frothy bloat
Stomach tube passes but doesn’t decompress
List some signs of colic in cows
kicking
treading
lying down and rising
vocalisation
stretched stance
rear feet placed far behind
Describe how to treat frothy bloat
anti-foaming agent
rumenotomy decompression - severe cases
diet management- take off pasture, add long fibre to diet
what are the land marks for Rumenotomy decompression
Hands width below transverse process and a hands width below last rib
define free gas bloat
inability to eliminate gas by eructation secondary to another condition
List 7 possible causes to free gas bloat
Obstruction: foreign body
Hypocalcaemia
Prolonged lateral recumbency
Vagal nerve damage
Tetanus
Actinobacillus
Outside pressure
describe the signs of tetanus in cows
rigidity, protrusion 3rd eyelid, hyperesthesia
Describe how to treat free gas bloat
pass stomach tube
may need to remove obstruction first e.g. foreign body
what is vagal indigestion
hinders the passage of ingesta from the reticulorumen, abomasum or both, resulting in the distension of the abdomen
describe the clinical signs of vagal indigestion
Non-specific
Decreased milk yield, anorexia
Abnormal faeces
Recurrent bloating
Decreased ruminal motility
what can vagal indigestion be secondary to
TRP
actinobacillosis (rumen/reticulum)
peritonitis
abscessation
Name the 2 forms of vagal indigestion
Anterior functional stenosis
Pyloric outflow failure
Describe Anterior functional stenosis
flow into abomasum disturbed e.g. TRP
Describe Pyloric outflow failure
no emptying of abomasum e.g. DA
see metabolic alkalosis
what is the prognosis for vagal indigestion
poor because vagal nerve is damaged
what are the most common sites of choke
Oropharynx, thoracic inlet, heart base
Describe the clinical signs of choke
Profuse salivation and bloat
describe how to treat choke
- Attempt removal using fingers or gentle pressure with stomach tube
- Leave to macerate if rumen trocar/red devil is present
- if severe relieve rumen tympany
- oesophagostomy
what cows tend to get ruminal bloat
slightly older calves- often just after weaning
what are the clinical signs of ruminal bloat
chronic - D+, poor hair coat, decreased DLWG
often recurrent bloat
may follow concentrate feeding
Describe how to manage ruminal bloat
Short term deflate with stomach tube
Long term fistula or trocar
what causes abomasal bloat
Rapid gas production in abomasum
Excessive fermentation of simple carbs—> Overgrowth of gas producing bacteria
describe signalment of abomasal bloat
pre-weaned calves
1-3 weeks old
describe what is seen on clinical exam with abomasal bloat
Splashing on abdominal percussion
Right ventral abdominal distension
Colic
describe how to treat abomasal bloat
Relieve bloat (tube or needle)
IVFT
Antibiotics (penicillin)
Hyoscine
NSAIDs
change calf management to prevent reoccurance
Describe where to incise for left flank laparotomy
4cm caudal to ribs
Incise skin, external and internal abdominal oblique muscles, transversus abdominis and peritoneum
what can you see with Left Flank Laparotomy
rumen
what can you feel in crainal abdomen with Left Flank Laparotomy
pylorus
abomasum
omasum
reticulm
what can you feel in caudal abdomen with Left Flank Laparotomy
○ Bladder
○ Uterus
○ Left kidney
Intestines
list 3 indications to rumenotomy
Adhesions suspected
TRP, foreign body, toxins, frothy bloat
Access to rumen and reticulum
Describe how to approach rumenotomy
Same as laparotomy
Suture rumen to body wall
- Partial thickness
- Short runs of Cushing pattern
List some Peri-op considerations for rumenotomy
This is a Clean contaminated surgery
Perioperative antimicrobials and NSAIDs
Restraint!- depends on the cow
when can a rumenostomy be indicated
recurrent bloat cases
what is a risk with a self retaining trocar
peritonitis
Describe how to approach a semi-permanent rumenotomy
Similar to laparotomy except only small circle of skin incised
Rumen stay sutured to body wall
Small circle of rumen mucosa removed
Rumen wall sutured to body wall in everting pattern- Horizontal/vertical mattress
Will gradually granulate and close
