Clinical pathology, diagnosis and treatment

CLINICAL PATHOLOGY, DIAGONISIS AND TREATMENT

Clinical pathology

  • Most animals with abomasal displacement have hypochloraemic, hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis. But some animals have a normal acid-base status.
  • The metabolic alkalosis is more pronounced in abomasal volvulus than following left or right displacement of the abomasum alone.
  • The alkalosis occurs due to continuous loss of hydrochloric acid from the abomasum. Blood glucose values are highly variable. Dehydrarion is reflected by varying degree of haemoconcentration. Ketonaemia and ketonuria are also frequently present.

Diagnosis

  • The diagnosis of abomasal displacement is based on history, clinical signs detection of tympanic resonance on auscultation and percussion and laboratory findings.
  • Acuteness of the onset of clinical signs, especially rapid heart rate and drop in milk yield, help to differentiate abomasal volvulus from RDA.
  • “Liptek Test” is used in diagnosis of abomasal displacement . A 18G needle is inserted aseptically just below the area of resonant ping in the left abdominal wall in cases of LDA and in the right abdominal region in cases of RDA and the fluid is aspirated. If the pH of the fluid is  around 4, abomasal displacement is suspected and a pH of 5 to 7 indicate ruminal contents.

Treatment

  • The aim of treatment of abomasal displacement is correction of the displaced abomasum, and fixing the displaced abomasum to prevent reccurence, restoration of gastro intestinal motility, rehydration and correction of metabolic disorders.
  • Conservative treatments aim at the release of gases from the abomasum, relief of abomasal impaction and restoration of GI tract motility so that the abomasum return to its normal position.
  • Calcium borogluconate, neostigmine, saline cathartics etc improve the GI tract motility in general. Repeated oral administration of mineral oils and warm salines may help in evacuation of the contents. Repteated intravenous isotonic fluid therapy is used to correct dehydration.
Last modified: Tuesday, 27 September 2011, 5:31 AM