Abomasal ulcers

ABOMASAL ULCERS

  • It  occurs in suckling calves and adult cattle and may cause abomasal haemorrhage, indigestion, melena and in some cases of perforation with acute local or diffused peritonitis.
  • The course of abomasal ulcers is not clearly known. In calves, sudden change from milk to high dry matter content
  • Abomasal ulcers are seen concomitant with trichobezoars. All the cases of abomasal ulcers are associated with hyperacidity and increased mucosal permeability to hydrogen ions.

Clinical signs and diagnosis

  • Abdominal pain, melena and pale mucous membranes are the common clinical signs. Bleeding ulcers cause  sudden onset of anorexia, ruminal stasis and tachycardia in addition  to abdominal pain and melena.
  • Calves become recumbent suddenly, with  cold extremities.
  •  Subnormal temperature, tachycardia and dehydration which subsequently lead to a state of hypovolemic shock.
  • Death occurs with acute local peritonitis closely resemble that of traumactic reticuloperitonitis. However, the localized pain will be on the right side instead left of Xiphoid in the case of TRP.
  • The diagnosis of bleeding ulcers is based on the typical signs where as the diagnosis of non bleeding ulcers in an intact animal is difficult.

Treatment

  • Treatment of affected animals include change of diet from high to low concentration. Antacids such as magnesium hydroxide (500 to 800g) or magnesium trisilicate administrated orally for 2-4 days are found beneficial .
  • In cases of bleeding or perforated ulcers, the treatment should be directed to control the bleeding and to check the dehydration with adequate volumes of fluid administration
  • Surgical treatment involves radical excision of ulcerative patches following abomasotomy. But the success is limited in the case of multiple ulcers.
  • Animals with perforated abomasal ulcers and diffused peritonitis usually have poor prognosis.
Last modified: Tuesday, 5 June 2012, 9:03 AM