Indigestion, DA, Cecal, and SI Flashcards
What is a DA?
Displaced abomasum – occurs when gas accumulates in the abomasum and the abomasum “floats” either to the left or to the right becoming trapped between the abdominal wall and adjacent viscera.
Which of the following statements is FALSE about displaced abomasum?
A. associated with post-partum diseases
B. occurs most commonly in the 3rd week postpartum
C. associated with high-grain diets
D. occurs in high-producing dairy cows
B. occurs most commonly in the 3rd week postpartum
occurs most commonly within the first TWO weeks postpartum
Why would cows with elevated NEFAs (non-esterified fatty acids) or BHBA (beta hydroxybutyric acid) during prepartum and postpartum periods have increased chances of absomasal displacement?
both NEFA and BHBA increase during the breakdown of fat usually due to inadequate dry matter intake or the energy demands of the fetus or milk production.
You are called out to a farm to examine 2 cows that are 1.5 weeks post-partum. The farmer states they are not eating. When you arrive, you see that they are not chewing their cud. On exam, their rumen motility is decreased. You get a ping when you percuss the left lower third of her abdomen (at the level of the 8th intercostal space and beyond the last rib).
You choose to perform a Liptak test on these cows. You insert the needle below where you heard the pings. What do you expect their pH values to be if these girls have left displaced abomasums?
the abomasal pH is 2-4, whereas the rumen pH is 5.5-8.
if LDA, the pH would be 2-4
You perform bloodwork and take urine samples on a sick cow. Her bloodwork shows she is alkalotic. Her urine results show that her urine is acidic. You realize this cow has paradoxical aciduria. What is the pathophysiology of this state?
When a cow becomes alkalotic, so tries to CONSERVE hydrogen ions.
But, because of the dehydration and reduced cardiac output, the blood pressure becomes DECREASED.
The cow will respond to this by renal retention of sodium and chloride. Normally, potassium (K+) would be exchanged, but hypokalemia is usually severe so hydrogen ions (H+) are secreted so that blood pressure can be maintained by maximum sodium retention.
what does the chemistry for a cow with LDA/RDA usually look like? (4 components)
- alkalotic
- hypochloremic
- hypokalemic
- hypocalcemic.
How can you tell a cow has a right TORSED abomasum as opposed to just being displaced?
Usually she will have signs of shock – decreased CRT, cool extremities, HR >100, acutely ill, dehydrated
and she will have abdominal distension and borborygmi
A farmer calls you to the farm to check out one of his cows thats been acting weird every since she gave birth 1 week ago. He states that generally, her milk production is down about 10 lbs. Some days she acts like she does not feel good (anorexia, etc.), but then others she is completely normal. You do not ausculate a ping when you percuss in the general location of a DA.
What could be going on here?
floating displaced abomasum
this may or may not develo into a full DA. Sometimes you can hear a ping with these. This occurs when a cow is brought in for DA surgery and upon arrival you cannot hear the ping.
What is the NONSURGICAL treatment for LDAs?
- lay in right lateral recumb. and roll her to her left side so that the abomasum can float up and over. Remain here for 5-10 min to allow for abomasal gas and contents to empty
- oral fluids
- replace the Cl, K, and Ca deficits (KCl, NaCl, CaCl)
- fix ketosis (IV dextrose, propylene glycol/propionate)
T/F: the typical non-surgical treatment used for LDA’s cannot be used in cases of RDA’s as it can cause RTA
true
The nonsurgical treatment entails laying the cow in right lateral and rolling her to the left side so that the abomasum will float up and over and the abomasal gas will empty.
This is ONLY an option for LDAs.
Describe the Roll-and-tack (surgical method) to correct LDAs only?
Lay cow in right lateral recumb., pull cow on her back slowly while pushing on area of abomasum. Listen for ping when abomasum is just to the right of the distal sternal process. Punch trocar through abdomen to release gas. Drop toggle into trocar, remove trocar and repeat 3 inches caudal to first trocarization. Tie the 2 toggle leads together. Turn the cow over to the left. Stand her up and listen for a ping
which surgical technique can be used to correct ALL abomasal displacements?
right flank omentopexy
enter right PLF; reach across the rumen and stick needle attached to a drip set into the abomasum to remove gas.
Once the abomasum is deflated, push it down into the correct spot.
Grab omentum and pull it into the incision until the pylorus is located.
At the level of the pylorus, suture the omentum into the first layer of body wall closure.
Describe how to perform a right paramedian abomasopexy?
roll cow on her back
enter abdomen on the right lateral to the midline and caudal to the sternum
suture the abomasal wall to the body wall while closing the peritoneum and muscle bellies
this procedure gets good exposure but does risk possible dehiscence.
What procedure is described as the following:
- Enter the left PLF and locate the abomasum
- Place 2 horizontal mattress sutures in the greater curvature of abomasum
- Deflate the abomasum and replace it
- Direct the 2 sutures to the right and caudal of the distal sternum. Punch needles thru ventral abdominal wall and tie ends of sutures together.
Left flank abomasopexy
What are the adjunctive treatments involved in repairing DAs?
- Fluids (oral – 10 gal water with salt) to restore fluid deficit, add weight to keep abomasum in place, and stimulate the rumen. Can do IV fluids for RTA is severely dehydrated.
- Calcium propionate to correct hypocalcemia
- Probiotics to compensate for rumen changes
- NSAIDs
- Calcium therapy to get muscular contractions going again
- if ketotic, glucose orally and 50% dextrose IV.
what is the prognosis for LDA/RDA versus RTA?
LDA/RDA – good if not left for a long time and as long as predisposing conditions are resolved
RTA – poor because vascular compromise
animals that have diarrhea prior to correction has worser prognoses. In general, abomasal atony and diarrhea may occur post-correction
How can we prevent DAs? (5)
- decrease incidence of postpartum diseases
- prevent hypocalcemic conditions
- increase effective fiber in diets and reduce grain
- transition ration to get cattle used to eating high-grain ration
- introduce cattle to concentrate slowly.
A swine producer calls you out to the farm to investigate a pig that was found dead. Upon examining the body, it seems relatively normal. You perform necropsy and you see ulcers in the pars esophagea with blood clots in the stomach. You give this animal a diagnosis of gastric ulcers. What are 5 common causes associated with gastric ulcers in swine?
- stress
- finely ground grain
- vitamin E and Se deficiency
- copper toxicity
- irregular feedings
A swine producer calls you out to the farm to investigate a pig that has been grinding its teeth, not eating, and has bloody tarry feces. Upon examination, you see pale mucous membranes and evidence of the tarry feces. You presumptively diagnose this pig with gastric ulcers. What is the treatment?
- aluminum hydroxide
- magnesium silicate
- Tagamet cimetidine
- oats/alfalfa hay
- omeprazole
- reduce stress
When are abomasal ulcers MOST commonly seen in dairy cows?
during high production in early lactation.
What are some potential causes of abomasal ulcers? (5)
- stress (calving, lactation)
- diet (high grain)
- lymphosarcoma of abomasum
- in calves, when begin eating solid feed (assoc with Cu deficiency or being on milk for long periods of time)
- NSAIDs
You are called to a dairy farm to check a dairy cow who is in early lactation. She has not been eating and has decreased milk production. On exam, you note decreased rumen motility and evidence of dark tarry feces. What is your diagnosis?
abomasal ulcers.
