Clinical signs and diagnosis of the right sided abomasal displacement

Question 1

Clinical signs of RDA and abomasal torsion

Answer 1

• Course: acute! Torsion → shock → death
• General symptoms
o Serious deterioration, weakness!
o Abdominal pain!
o More severe, than those of the LDA, especially with torsion
• Basic clinical values
o Temperature: normal
o Pulse: ↑↑
▪ General pulse rate: 40-60 (80) BPM
▪ Pulse during abomasal displacement: >80 BPM
o Respiratory rate: variable
• Skin
o Dehydration (+sunken eyes) (skin is too loose to help detect dehydration)
• Mucous membranes
o Dry, pale→dirty red (due to endotoxemia from the necrotised area)
o CRT: prolonged
• Circulatory organs
o Signs of peripheral circulatory failure
• Digestive organs
o Appetit: completely lost, thirst ↑(because of dehydration)
o Faeces: scant, pasty
o Rumen: complete stasis
o Abomasum: visible and palpable in severe cases

Question 2

Diagnosis of RDA

Answer 2

• Clinical signs: YES (acute)
• Laboratory date: Not practical, because not real time, cow side tests now a days (portable
machine)→serious metabolic acidosis, increased lactate levels
• Targeted examination of the abomasum→physical examination methods

Question 3

Physical examination methods

Answer 3

• Rectal examination
o In severe cases (extended abomasum can be detected)
• Auscultation
o Large fluid→spontaneous “tinkling, bubbling sounds”
▪ Sensitivity 20%
• Auscultation with ballotment
o Large fluid→“splashing sound”
▪ Sensitivity 60-70%
• Auscultation with percussion
o Gas accumulation→“ping = metallic sound” (steel band effect)
▪ Sensitivity 90%