Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

CLINICAL SIGNS

Dilatation and displacement phase

• History of calving within the last few weeks, inappetence, decreased milk production; the feces are reduced in amount and are abnormal. 
• Anorexia, depression, dehy­dration, no interest in feed, increased thirst and sometimes muscular weakness.
• The temperature is usually normaland the respira­tions are usually within the normal range. The heart  rate will vary from normal to 100/min
• The mucous membrances are usually pale and dry.
• The reticulorumen is atonic and the rumen pack feel excessively doughy. The distended abo­masum is detectable as a tense viscus on palpation immediately behind and below the right costal arch.
• Ballottement of the middle third of the right lateral abdomen immediately behind the right costal arch along with simultaneous aus­cultation reveals fluid-splashing sounds suggesting a fluid-filled viscus.
• Percussion and simulta­neous auscultation over the right middle to upper third of the abdomen commonly elicits a characteristic high-pitched ping.

Volvulus phase

• The clinical findings more severe than during the dilatation phase.
• The abdomen is visibly distended, depression , weakness and dehydration
• The heart rate is 100-120/min, and respirations are increased
• Recumbency with a grossly distended abdomen and grunting may occur 
• Rectal exami­nation reveals the partially distended abomasum . In the volvulus phase, the distended tense viscus is usually palpable in the right abdomen anywhere from the upper to the lower quadrant.
• The feces are usually scant, soft and dark in color. The soft feces must not be mistaken for diarrhea. 
• Death usually occurs in 48-96 hours from shock and dehydration.
• Rupture of the abomasum may occur and cause sudden death.

Acute abomasal volvulus (adult cattle)

• A sudden onset of abdominal pain with kicking at the abdomen, depression of the back and crouching.
• The heart rate is usually increased to 100-120/min, the temperature is subnormal, and there is peripheral circulatory failure.
• Mucous membranes are pale, dry and cool.
• Abdomen is grossly dis­tended on the right side and auscultation and percussion reveal the tympanitic sounds of a gas-filled viscus.
• Fluid-splash­ing sounds are audible on percussion.
• Paracentesis of the distended abomasum -large quantities of blood­tinged fluid with a pH of 2-4.
• The dis­tended abomasum palpated on rectal examination
• The feces are scant, soft become blood-stained or melenic

Acute abomasal volvulus (calves)

• A sudden onset of anorexia, acute abdominal pain with kicking at the belly, depression of the back, bellowing and straining.
• H/R 120-160/min, the abdomen is distended and tense
• Auscultation and per­cussion over the right abdomen reveal distinct high-pitched pings.
• Palpation behind the right costal arch reveals a tense viscus.