7 - DAs

LDA

90-96% of DA cases

most common 2-8 weeks postpartum

RDA

true emergency

etiology

abomasal atony → gas accumulation → buoyant in abdomen → floats dorsally

noninfectious factors

hypocalcemia

metabolic disturbances

ketosis

metritis

infectious factors

mastitis

metritis

enteritis

peritonitis

post-parturient factors

uterine void

retained fetal membranes

twins

dystocia

dietary

abrupt diet change

high concentrates + low roughage

increased feed processing → increased SA = increased VFAs

clinical signs

scant feces, diarrhea

sunken paralumbar fossa

dehydration

anorexia

normal temp

normal to elevated HR

normal to elevated RR

rumenal atony

gas-fluid interface sounds (pings) @ 9-12 IC space

RDA ping extends past ribs

misdiagnosed DAs

gas in spiral colon → r-sided ping at last two ribs from back → normal

peritonitis → ping in high abdomen, inconsistent location, in fresh cows with uterine infections/fever

gas in uterus → ping in high abdomen, mimics peritonitis → rare

abomasal impaction → faint ping, CSs mimic LDA

bloat → low-pitched ping (unless severe)

cecal dilation/torsion → r-sided ping, high and cauda abd → dx via rectal palpation

general considerations

clinical sign, not definitive dx

often occurs as herd-level problem

effective management needed → slow transition, diet issues

treatment

rarely effective as standalone treatment

address undelrying causes (metabolic imbalace)

promote GI motility

CA supplementation

fluid therapy

surgical

most common surgical procedure performed on cattle

greater hemodynamic compromise at presentation associated iwth worse prognosis

prevention/control

slow transition times

maintain calcium levels

minimize inflammatory dz