Clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings in 94 cows with type-1 abomasal ulcer.

U Braun,K Nuss,C Reif,M Hilbe,C Gerspach

doi:10.17236/sat00254

Abstract

This study included 94 cows aged 2.1 to 12.0 years (5.2± 2.05 years) that were examined at a referral clinic because of type-1 abomasal ulcer. The most common clinical findings were poor general health status (94%), partial or complete anorexia (93%), congested scleral vessels (89%), decreased skin surface temperature (76%), decreased or absent faecal output (72%), abdominal guarding (59%), tachypnoea (56%), rumen atony (53%) and positive percussion and simultaneous auscultation and/or ballottement and simultaneous auscultation on the right side (53%). The most common laboratory findings were hypokalaemia (68%), positive base excess (60%) and azotaemia (51%). The chloride concentration of rumen fluid was increased in 48% of the cows. The diagnosis of type-1 ulcer was made during laparotomy and/or postmortem examination. One or more concurrent diseases were diagnosed in 97% of the cows. Seventy-eight (83%) cows were euthanased immediately after the initial examination, during laparotomy or after unsuccessful treatment, and eight (8.5%) cows died, and all were examined postmortem. Eight (8.5%) cows were discharged and six of these made a complete recovery.

Highlights

This study evaluated the clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and pathological findings in 87 cows aged 2 to 10 years (4.5 ± 1.5 years) with type-4 abomasal ulcer
The diagnosis of type-4 abomasal ulcer based on clinical signs alone is difficult and requires additional diagnostic procedures including the determination of the haematocrit and plasma protein concentration, abdominal ultrasonography and analysis of peritoneal fluid
Braun et al BMC Veterinary Research (2019) 15:100 organs or the peritoneum resulting in acute local peritonitis and adhesions and sometimes the formation of abscesses; and type 4 is a perforated ulcer accompanied by diffuse peritonitis because of contamination of the abdominal cavity with ingesta from the abomasum

Summary

Introduction

This study evaluated the clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and pathological findings in 87 cows aged 2 to 10 years (4.5 ± 1.5 years) with type-4 abomasal ulcer. Braun et al BMC Veterinary Research (2019) 15:100 organs or the peritoneum resulting in acute local peritonitis and adhesions and sometimes the formation of abscesses; and type 4 is a perforated ulcer accompanied by diffuse peritonitis because of contamination of the abdominal cavity with ingesta from the abomasum. The clinical signs vary widely depending on the type of abomasal ulcer; generalised peritonitis is common in cows with type-4 ulcer and is often fatal within 24 to 48 h [3]. The clinical signs in cows with type-4 ulcer resemble those of septic shock and include tachycardia, tachypnoea, fever, congested scleral vessels, pale and muddy mucous membranes, decreased skin surface temperature, spontaneous grunting and abdominal guarding [6, 7]. Metabolic acidosis has been reported in cows with type-4 abomasal ulcer [7]

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