ABDOMEN

Clinical Examination of Bovine Abdomen

The clinical examination of the bovine abdomen involves a series of systematic steps, beginning with observing the animal from a distance to assess demeanor and abdominal contour. Initially, the practitioner must perform a visual inspection to evaluate the demeanor, abdominal contour, distension, and rumen fill. Additionally, the oral cavity is visually assessed, and the tongue is palpated. Following this, palpation of the left and right abdomen is necessary to assess rumen fill and consistency, while auscultation allows for checking rumen contractions and implementing balottement techniques. Combining percussion and auscultation helps identify abnormal sounds, such as pings associated with fluid in the abdomen. The succussion technique involves auscultating and applying ballottement to detect fluid tinkling sounds in the ventral abdomen.

In performing a rectal examination, it is essential to assess the feces for nature, color, blood, and amount. Additionally, the examiner checks the rumen size and contents, as well as the cecum and loops of intestines to look for signs of displacement or adhesions. Several additional tests may be conducted, such as the grunt test for pain assessment at the xiphoid process, wither pinch for trachea auscultation, passing a stomach tube, abdominocentesis for analyzing peritoneal fluid, rumenocentesis for checking pH and examining for protozoa, fecal egg count, ultrasound, and exploratory laparotomy. The normal rumen pH ranges from 6.2 to 7, indicating healthy digestive function. A rectal examination primarily aims to assess feces for nature and quantity, determine rumen size and contents, and evaluate for any signs of displacement or enlargement of lymph nodes.

REPRODUCTIVE TRACT

Left Kidney Evaluation

Assessment includes evaluating size and shape while also examining the pelvic region of the bladder.

Abomasum Displacement

Left Displaced Abomasum (LDA)

LDA is more common than right displacements, with the pathogenesis involving the abomasum becoming enlarged due to fluid and gas accumulation, ultimately displacing from its normal right position to the left side. Clinical signs noted by the owner often include decreased milk production shortly after calving, significant weight loss, and reluctance to eat grain. Clinically, there may be decreased rumen contractions, soft feces, occasional diarrhea, and a visible dilated abomasum under the ribs. Additionally, metabolic changes include chronic hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis resulting from abomasal obstruction. The risk factors for LDA involve high-producing dairy cows post-parturition, decreased food intake leading to reduced rumen capacity, and excessive grain feeding with lower fiber content leading to gas accumulation. Differential diagnoses for left side pings include other causes such as an atonic rumen, which can be differentiated based on size and consistency during examination.

Treatment and Management

Treatment options include closed procedures, such as rolling or percutaneous tacks, and open procedures, like right paralumbar fossa omentopexy without sedation where an incision is made, and the abomasum is deflated with a needle before suturing. Supportive treatments should focus on administering calcium, electrolytes for dehydration, and managing ketosis with propylene glycol, dextrose, and NSAIDs.

RDA (Right Displaced Abomasum)

The pathogenesis of RDA involves hypomotility and gas accumulation, potentially culminating in volvulus. Clinical signs are similar to those of LDA but with marked abdominal pain. Volvulus may present with sudden onset abdominal pain, a rapid increase in heart rate, distended right abdomen, and a significantly reduced prognosis if untreated.

BLOAT/RUMEN TYMPANY

Bloat can be classified into primary (frothy or pasture bloat) and secondary (gaseous or free gas bloat). Diagnosis can typically be made through stomach tube assessment or visual examination, and treatment may involve antifoaming agents, nutritional management, and, in severe cases, emergency rumenotomy. Preventative measures include gradually transitioning cattle to new pastures and maintaining high-quality forage ratios.

ACIDOSIS

Rumen acidosis can be classified as acute or subacute, primarily resulting from dietary changes emphasizing high starch intakes. Management should include administering alkalinizers, facilitating rumen transfaunation, and correcting dehydration and imbalances.

TRAUMATIC RETICULOPERITONITIS (Hardware Disease)

This condition arises when a sharp foreign body penetrates the reticular wall. Signs include reduced milk production, pain on palpation, and an observable increase in heart rate. Management requires immediate antibiotic therapy and potentially the magnetic removal of foreign bodies.

VAGUS INDIGESTION

This common chronic condition typically results from mechanical obstruction; clinical signs include a papple-shaped abdomen and reduced appetite. Management may necessitate a rumenotomy in severe cases.

ASCITES

Ascites may result from cardiac or hepatic conditions leading to fluid accumulation. It is essential to consider differential diagnoses, such as peritonitis and urinary accumulation.

DIARRHEA IN ADULT CATTLE

Common pathogens contributing to diarrhea in adult cattle include bacterial infections from Salmonella (which poses a risk of septicemia) and E. coli; viral infections from rotavirus and coronavirus; and parasitic infestations such as coccidiosis, particularly during periods of stress.

BOVINE DIARRHEA STRATEGY

Management strategies focus on replacing fluids and electrolytes, providing nutritional support, and monitoring for pathogens during diagnosis. Unique clinical signs can often summarize various conditions, such as LDA presenting a high-pitched ping on the left side, RDA exhibiting a loud ping on the right side with stress relayed to the heart, and colic associated with abdominal discomfort alongside numerous differential diagnoses like bloat, acidosis, and torsions. In conclusion, thorough examination techniques enable accurate differential diagnoses, leading to improved treatment outcomes in bovine health management.