Diseases of the abomasum Flashcards
Abdominal distension, heart rate 50 x/minute, progressive anorexia. An appropriate diagnosis is…..
Vagus indigestion
You have observed a very dark, tarry-like faeces in the pasture. What could be a reason?
Abomasal ulcers
- Inappetence (doesn´t eat grain)
- Progressive decrease of milk yield (3-4 kg per day)
- Sometimes anorexia
- Chronic ketosis/subclinical (doesn’t respond to treatment)
- Scant stool (firm)
- Sometimes loose stool with undigested particles.
*No fever - Normal heart rate
*Hypotonic rumen
displaced abomasum
Location of the abomasum.
above xiphoid process basically
Typical signalment of abomasal displacement patient?
Predisposing conditions?
Typically older adult cows that have fairly recently calved.
- Related with high-production, during the peak lactation period (80% during the first month of lactation).
- Herd-problem, feeding issue
- Pre-existing subclinical ketosis
– Fresh cow ration: too much concentrate/ non-adequate fiber in ration or cow not eating enough of it
– Subclinical acidosis - Concurrent diseases (endotoxemia) - mastitis, metritis
Etiology of abomasal displacement.
Main 1: Hypomotility of abomasum!
* Hypocalcemia
* Large amount of VFA in rumen – lack of dietary fiber
* Endotoxemic conditions (e.g. phlegmons etc.)
* SARA
* Ketosis - inappetence
Main 2: Increased gas production!
* Lots of VFAs
* Intensive gas production continues in abomasum.
* Overdistended abomasum-inactivity and dislocation.
Main diagnostic tool for LDA?
percussion + auscultation on left flank, metallic pings
Follow up with ballottement - splashing
when fluid filled abomasum moves.
NB! 15% of LDA cases doesn’t create a
metallic pings or occur occasionally.
Lab tests for confirming suspicion of LDA?
Hematology is usually normal.
Fibrinogen is usually normal if no peritonitis.
- Light metabolic alkalosis
- Hypo
– Ca
– K
– Cl - BHB increased (subclinical ketosis)
Which is more likely to result in volvulus, LDA or RDA?
right sided displaced abomasum
Describe RDA volvulus.
RDA more likely to result in volvulus.
- Acute obstruction
- Sudden onset
- Can be fatal when surgical treatment
is delayed.
Clinical signs of RDA.
- In dilatation phase - similar to LDA, but „pings“ are in right side of abdomen.
- In volvulus phase: shock and death within 24-48 h. Ischemia and necrosis in region of torsion
- Severe systemic signs: complete anorexia, tachycardia, tachypnoe, weakness, depression.
- Grossly distended abdomen (right side), recumbency.
- Signs of pain: grunting, kicking, dyspnoe
- Dehydration
- No feces, or small amount (soft and dark)
After a positive ping test, what clinical diagnostics do you do next when you suspect RDA?
Rectal examination
- Caecal dilatation and volvulus can also be discovered via rectum.
*+ Volvulus of other part of large bowel
Other causes of right sided pings? (2)
pneumoperitoneum
cecal volvulus
While abomasal ulcers occur in cattle of all ages, the most commonly affected group is
the cow in the first 6 weeks of lactation and occasionally just before calving.
- Milk-fed calves can be affected too.
- Metritis, mastitis, ketosis and LDA/RDA’s are often seen concurrently with abomasal ulcers.
Abomasum ph
2,5-3
Ulcers are generally caused by a
decrease in abomasal pH.
This can occur through: (5)
- Poor quality silage or hay that physically damages the lining of the abomasum.
- Low protein diets can decrease the amount of protective mucous that lines the abomasum.
- Stress stimulates the production of acid in the abomasum. Stress can be caused by any change in environment (ie. change in weather, management, diet, social structure etc.), by increased production demands or by disease.
- Endotoxemia!
- Lymphosarcoma is rare
Clinical signs of non-perforating, mild ulcers.
Involving the mucosa and submucosa.
Clinical signs are vague:
- rumen atony
- partial anorexia
- mild abdominal pain
- soft feces, amount is decreased
- fecal blood tests may be positive
DDx: Traumatic reticuloperitonitis or
indigestion.
Clinical signs of non-perforating, severe ulcers.
Severe blood loss can occur with a
non-perforating ulcer when the ulcer
erodes into a major gastric blood vessel.
Hemorrhage, anemia, melena,
tachycardia, tachypnea or shock may
result.
Abomasal ulcers are the most common
cause of proximal gastrointestinal
hemorrhage in cattle!
Perforating ulcers with local peritonitis are caused by
penetration through to the serosal layers with localized leakage of abomasal contents.
The inflammatory response is quick to wall off localized peritonitis and signs may be similar to traumatic reticuloperitonitis. Potentially fever etc.
The prognosis is good with antibiotic therapy, except in pregnant cows where the gravid uterus interferes with adhesion
formation.
Blood transfusion in cattle.
Donor just be an older healthy cow.
Sodium citrate anticoagulant
10-15 ml/kg can be taken from the donor
Abomasal impaction is rarely encountered in cattle and is characterized by
the drying of the abomasal content and the enlargement of the abomasum as a result of the abnormal accumulation of solid matter in the organ.
Causes of abomasal impaction? (4)
- reduced water intake during the winter season
- feeding on rations rich in low-quality roughage
- is associated with traumatic reticuloperitonitis, vagal indigestion, adhesions of the abomasum with the
rumen or the ventral part of the abdominal wall - consumption of non-food material (sand, gravel)
