VCP 411: Medicine Section

Appearance of abdomen ( large animals)

APPEARANCE OF ABDOMEN

Visual inspection of the abdomen

• The contour or silhouette of the abdomen should be viewed from the rear and each lateral region and from an oblique angle. Examination of contour will assist in determining the cause of abdominal distension. Abdominal distention may be unilateral, bilaterally symmetrical or asymmetrical or more prominent in the dorsal half or ventral half. Recognition of the area of maximum distension suggests diagnostic possibilities.

• Normal - Oval and slightly pear shaped.
• Free gas bloat - Slight bulging on the left flank.
• Frothy bloat- Unilateral ventral distension on left side.
• Over loading of the rumen - Distension of left flank region and less on the right.
• Vagus indigestion - Round appearance of the left part of abdomen and distension on right lower region of abdomen. “L” shaped rumen on rectal palpation.
• Hydrops - Due to accumulation of fluid the weight drags down the abdomen so that the lower part is round and prominent.
• Physiological hydrops - normal pregnancy more than one fetus.
• Pathological hydrops - hydrops amnion, hydrops allantois, and fetal emphysema
• Ascites -  Bilateral distension of lower abdomen – CHF, peritonitis and ruptured bladder.
• Paralytic ileus with secondary ruminal tympany -  Bilateral and ventral distension of the abdomen.
• Pneumo peritoneum - Bilateral distension of dorsal half of abdomen.
• Right torsion of abomasums - Unilateral right side distension.
• Dilatation of the abomasums/torsion - Unilateral right side distension in the right flank and right paralumbar fossa may be severely distended.