Abomasal and Caeacal Surgery, Wires and Bloat

Question 1

What is frothy bloat?

Answer 1

Stable foam produced on top of the rumen liquid

Blocks the rumen gas

Question 2

What 3 feeds predispose to frothy bloat?

Answer 2

1. Clover
2. Alfalfa
3. Finely ground grain

Question 3

What is the treatment of frothy bloat?

Answer 3

Stomach tube, trochar

Surfactant (e.g. oil or commercial silicone preparation)

Question 4

What are 4 clinical signs of traumatic reticulitis?

Answer 4

1. SUDDEN milk drop
2. Hunched up, Stiff gait
3. Increased temperature (39.5)
4. Inappetant, depressed

Question 5

What is the ratio of primary to secondary rumen/reticular contractions?
How many should you hear in 2 minutes

Answer 5

2 Primary: 1 secondary

3 contractions in 2 minutes

Question 6

What happens in the primary and secondary cycles of rumen/reticular contractions?

Answer 6

Primary: Mixing, contraction of reticulum then rumen
Secondary: Rumen contraction starting in caudal rumen, pushes gas to cardia
ERUCTATION

Question 7

Which diagnostic test is most specific to reticulitis?

What would you hear with traumatic reticulitis?

Answer 7

Eric Williams test

Grunt immediately before PRIMARY contraction

Question 8

What are 3 consequences of swallowing a wire?

Answer 8

1. Vagal indigestion
2. Local reticulo-peritonitis
3. Pericarditis

Question 9

What can medial local reticulo-peritonitis due to penetration of a wire cause?

Answer 9

Damage to vagus nerve (vagal indigestion)
Reticular adhesions
Abscess in medial wall

Question 10

What are the 3 heart sounds heard in traumatic pericarditis?

Answer 10

1. Pericardial rub
2. Quiet/absent
3. “Washing machine” sounds

Question 11

Where do you incise in order to perform and exploratory rumenotomy?

Answer 11

Left sub lumbar fossa

Question 12

Describe the lining of the rumen and reticulum

Answer 12

Rumen: Papillae
Reticulum: Honeycomb

Question 13

What are two treatments for traumatic reticulitis?

Answer 13

1. Exploratory rumenotomy

2. Bolus with magnet + NSAIDs and Broad spectrum antimicrobials

Question 14

1. What does a dorsal vagus nerve injury present as?

2. What about an injury to the pyloric branch of ventral vagal nerve?

Answer 14

1. Enlarged rumen and bloat

2. Abomasal impaction

Question 15

What are 3 other causes of Vagus indigestion?

Not related to traumatic reticulitis

Answer 15

1. Actinobacillosis of rumen/reticulum
2. Late pregnancy
3. Fibropapillomas

Question 16

What causes a displaced abomasum?

Answer 16

Abomasal atony

Excessive VFAs + inflammatory cytokines inhibiting motility

Question 17

When does LDAs usually occur?

Answer 17

0-4 weeks post calving (sudden increase in space)

Question 18

Where do you hear the characteristic ping in an LDA?

Answer 18

Between elbow and tuber coxae in a straight line

Question 19

What is the risk with rolling to treat an LDA?

Answer 19

Ulcer rupture = fatal

Question 20

How can you check if you’re in the reticulum whilst toggling a cow?

Answer 20

Litmus paper

pH < 5 if in reticulum

Question 21

What are 3 disadvantages to toggling for treatment of an LDA?

Answer 21

1. Risk of fistula formation
2. Risk of getting kicked
3. Can’t see inside abomasum (e.g. adhesions, ulcers)

Question 22

What are the 4 surgical methods for an LDA?

Answer 22

1. Bilateral flank (best, need two vets)
2. Right side omentopexy
3. Left side omentopexy (Utrecht)
4. Ventral abdominal paramedian (best for visualisation)

Question 23

What does pooling of H and Cl in the abomasum cause?

Answer 23

Metabolic alkalosis
Hypochloraemia
Dehydration

Question 24

What should you administer post-op RDA?

Answer 24

Ca 40%
Propylene glycol
KCl

Question 25

Where would you hear a "ping" in caecal dilation and volvulus?

Answer 25

Dorso-caudal sub lumbar fossa

Question 26

What is the aetiology of caecal dilation?

Answer 26

Excess carbs fermented in caecum Increases VFAs and reduced pH Caecal atony Accumulation of ingesta and gas

Question 27

What is the difference in rectal exam of caecal distension vs volvulus?

Answer 27

Blind end of caecum: Dilation - points to pelvic cavity Volvulus - points cranial and lateral/medial

Question 28

What does perforation of abomasal ulcers cause?

Answer 28

Acute local/diffuse peritonitis

Question 29

What is the pathogenesis of abomasal ulcers?

Answer 29

Injury of gastric mucosa Diffusion of H+ ions into tissue Damage

Question 30

What is the difference between Type 1 and 2 abomasal ulcers?

Answer 30

Type 1: Non-perforating, little intraluminal haemorrhage | Type 2: Major blood vessel perforates, severe blood loss, melena

Question 31

What is the difference between Type 3 and 4 abomasal ulcers?

Answer 31

Type 3: Perforating, acute local peritonitis | Type 4: Perforating, diffuse peritonitis

Question 32

How are Type 3 ulcers prevented from causing diffuse peritonitis?

Answer 32

Localisation by greater omentum

Question 33

What type of ulceration occurs in cattle compared to calves?

Answer 33

Cattle - fundic | Calves - pyloric

Question 34

What are 4 clinical signs of abomasal ulcers?

Answer 34

1. Sudden onset anorexia 2. Pale MM 3. Melena 4. Abdominal pain

Question 35

What are 3 treatments for abomasal ulcers?

Answer 35

1. Antacids (Mg oxide, Al hydroxide) 2. Blood transfusion/fluids 3. Surgical excision

Question 36

What are the two sites of oesophageal obstruction occurence?

Answer 36

1. Cervical oesophagus above larynx | 2. Base of heart/cardia