Ultrasonographic examination of the forestomachs and the abomasum in ruminal drinker calves

Ueli Braun,Alexandra Gautschi

doi:10.1186/1751-0147-55-1

Abstract

BackgroundThe study investigated the ultrasonographic appearance of the reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum of calves with ruminal drinking syndrome.MethodsIn ten milk-fed calves with ruminal drinking syndrome the reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum were examined by ultrasonography using a 5-MHz linear transducer before, during and after the ingestion of milk.ResultsThe reticulum could be imaged in eight of ten calves before feeding. The reticular wall appeared as an echoic line, similar to mature cattle, and reticular folds were seen in eight calves. The reticular content appeared as echoic heterogeneous fluid. Reticular contractions were biphasic with 1.0 ± 0.38 contractions per minute. The rumen had a mean wall thickness of 2.1 mm dorsally, 3.5 mm at the level of the longitudinal groove, and 3.2 mm ventrally. The ventral sac of the rumen of all calves contained echoic heterogeneous liquid. During feeding the milk entering the rumen could be seen as hyperechoic liquid in five calves. The omasum was seen on the right side as a crescent-shaped line medial to the liver in seven calves. Only the omasal wall closest to the transducer was seen as an echoic line with a mean thickness of 2.7 mm. The ultrasonographic appearance of the omasum did not change during or after feeding. The abomasum was seen immediately caudal to the xyphoid on both sides of the midline before feeding. The mean length at the ventral midline was 22.2 cm. The ingesta were heterogeneous in all calves and the abomasal folds were distinct in eight. The mean lateral expansion of the abomasum from the ventral midline to the left and right varied from 8.7 to 13.8 cm and from 4.3 to 11.3 cm. The milk entering the abomasum was observed in all calves, and signs of milk clotting were seen in all calves 15 minutes after feeding.ConclusionThis study showed that ultrasonography is useful for detecting milk in the reticulum and rumen of calves with ruminal drinking syndrome.

Highlights

The study investigated the ultrasonographic appearance of the reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum of calves with ruminal drinking syndrome
The goal of the present study was to describe the ultrasonographic findings of the reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum in calves with ruminal drinking syndrome and to determine whether ultrasonography is useful for the diagnosis of this condition
The reticular content appeared as echoic heterogeneous fluid

Summary

Introduction

The study investigated the ultrasonographic appearance of the reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum of calves with ruminal drinking syndrome. Closure of the reticular groove is not complete, and about 10% of the ingested milk reaches the rumen [3]. This has no adverse effects and the milk is moved to the abomasum within three various gastrointestinal disorders in cattle, which were summarized in review articles [12,13]. The goal of the present study was to describe the ultrasonographic findings of the reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum in calves with ruminal drinking syndrome and to determine whether ultrasonography is useful for the diagnosis of this condition

Objectives

Results

Conclusion