Bovine Flash Notes - Abomasal Displacement

Question 1

what is the classic case presentation of abomasal displacement?

Answer 1

dairy cow in early lactation that ADR, off feed, decreased milk production, & pings - decreased appetite, rumen motility, some diarrhea, increased pulse, & may see atrial fibrillation

Question 2

T/F: signs from a displaced abomasum may wax & wane if the displaced organ ‘swings’

Answer 2

TRUE

Question 3

what is the test of choice for diagnosing a displaced abomasum?

Answer 3

auscultation & percussion

Question 4

what is the characteristic labwork from a cow with a displaced abomasum?

Answer 4

metabolic alkalosis - decreased potassium, chloride, & calcium & paradoxical aciduria

Question 5

what is the treatment used for a left displaced abomasum?

Answer 5

can try rolling the cow, blind stitch abomasopexy or right flank omentopexy, left flank or right paramedian abomasopexy or laparoscopy

Question 6

what is the treatment used for a right displaced abomasum? what is contraindicated?

Answer 6

right flank omentopexy or right paramedian abomasopexy in cows unable to stand, for volvulus, untwist then pexy or decompress gas with a needle, untwist, then pexy - DO NOT ROLL

Question 7

T/F: if you only roll a cow when treating a left displaced abomasum, recurrence is common

Answer 7

TRUE

Question 8

what medical treatment is used for a cow with a displaced abomasum?

Answer 8

important to restore metabolic balance & address concurrent disease - large volume fluids through a stomach tube for long duration displaced abomasum, IV fluids for right abomasal volvulus or prolonged DA’s with severe dehydration/electrolyte imbalances (normal or hypertonic saline with kcl and calcium borogluconate

Question 9

what are some common concurrent diseases seen in cows with a displaced abomasum?

Answer 9

mastitis, milk fever, retained placenta, & ketosis

Question 10

what acid-base abnormality is most often seen in a dairy cow with a displaced abomasum? why?

Answer 10

metabolic alkalosis - sequestration of HCl in abomasum = less H + and Cl available for reabsorption in kidney, so kidney must resorb HCO3 to maintain electroneutrality resulting in a metabolic alkalosis & paradoxical aciduria (HCO -
resorbed from urine leaves it acidic)

Question 11

T/F: anything that DECREASES gastric motility & INCREASES gas production puts cow at risk of a DA

Answer 11

TRUE

Question 12

where are the pings ausculted in a cow with a displaced abomasum?

Answer 12

left sided ping at ribs 9-13 - more caudal than an RDA, right sided ping: RDA/RTA pings between ribs 10-13 & RTA is palpable on rectal