Clinical and laboratory findings in 60 cows with type-3 abomasal ulcer

• Published in: Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde Vol. 161; no. 9; p. 523
• Main Authors: Braun, U, Gerspach, C, Hilbe, M, Devaux, D, Reif, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01.09.2019
• Subjects: abomasum; ulcera di tipo 3; lokale Peritonitis; cattle; Rind; péritonite localisée; caillette; type-3 ulcer; ulcère de type 3; Labmagen; bétail; bovini; abomaso; peritonite localizzata; localised peritonitis; Ulkus Typ 3
• ISSN: 1664-2848
• DOI: 10.17236/sat00218

This study involved 60 cows aged 1.9 to 13 years (mean 4.8 ± 2.3 years) with type-3 abomasal ulcer. The most common clinical signs were, in decreasing order of frequency, partial or complete anorexia (98%), obtunded demeanour (95%), decreased skin surface temperature (78%), congested scleral vessels (73%), abdominal guarding (61%), tachypnoea (58%), fever (58%) and tachycardia (55%). One or more concomitant disorders were diagnosed in 86% of the cows. The most common abnormal laboratory findings were hypokalaemia (75%), shortened glutaraldehyde test time (46%) and hyperfibrinogenaemia (43%). The diagnosis of type-3 abomasal ulcer was made in all cows during laparotomy and/or at postmortem examination. Forty-eight (80%) cows were euthanased immediately after the initial examination, during laparotomy or after unsuccessful treatment. Twelve (20%) cows were treated with a solution of sodium chloride and glucose administered via an indwelling jugular catheter, antibiotics, metamizole or flunixin, and discharged from the clinic. Ten cows were still in production two years later.