Bovine Gastrointestinal & Genitourinary Exam Flashcards
what may a slightly raised appearance, abdominal asymmetry, indicate?
-Displaced abomasum to the left or right.
-rumen distended with gas will result in marked distention of the left abdomen wall
Where you start to auscult the rumen? what should you hear
in the left paralumbar fossa.
healthy cows have 1-2 primary rumen contractions per minutes
what should you feel during rumen palpation?
rumen is fluid fulled with a mat of fibrous material on top, so palpation will vary from dorsal to ventral.
as you proceed ventrally to the left lower quadrant, rumen contents change from potentially gas filled at the top to firm and doughy in the area of fiber mat, to fluid filled ventrally
how and why do you perform simultaneous auscultation and percussions? PING
evaluation of the left side of cows abdomen for the presence of gas pockets.
you ping along a diagonal line, from the tuber coxae to the olecranon.
what may it indicate if you find pinging?
finding a resonant area, ping, indicates a gas filled viscus under pressure, against body wall.
where is the reticulum? can it be palpated?
the reticulum lies cranial to the rumen and cannot be examined directly bc its deep to ribs 6-8.
its primarily on the left side, but it does cross the midline dorsal to the xiphoid process
left side
how do you use a compass to check for presence of a magnet in the reticulum?
place the compass behind the elbow on the left thoracic body wall.
a 60 to 90 degree deflection indicates presence of magnet in the reticulum.
where is the abomasum? is it palpable?
Lies in a flexed position on the abdominal floor, caudal to the reticulum and ventral to the rumen.
cannot be palpated, normal or abnormal
leftside
what are the common causes of a ping on the left side?
left displaced abomasum, rumen gas cap, and pneumoperitoneum
where is the omasum? is it palpable?
right side.
lies ventrally on the right side of the abdomen. between the rumen and reticulum on the left and the liver and body wall on the right.
not able to be palpated due to its deep location to ribs 8-11
what are the common causes of a ping on the right side?
right displaced abomasum, intestinal volvulus, cecal dilatation or volvulus, or pneumoperitoneum
where is the liver? is it palpable?
found primarily on the right side and is between diaphragm and omasum.
not palpable.
where is cecum?
right side
what is the grunt test?
Used to detect ventral abdominal pain.
use a closed fist to apply gentle pressure upward, to the ventral abdomen.
if in pain, they’ll kick, grunt, or tighten their muscles, close eyes
what is the withers pinch test?
Ventral abdominal pain
grasp and pinch the cows withers using both hands. if in pain, they will lower their back
