Changes

{{unfinished}}

{{OpenPagesTop}}

Rearrangement of abdominal viscera in pregnancy is thought to be an important aetiological factor, however reduced abomasal motility is thought to be the primary aetiological cause. Once the abomasum is displaced gas production by the organ continues causing distension and further displacement.

 

Rearrangement of abdominal viscera in pregnancy is thought to be an important aetiological factor, however reduced abomasal motility is thought to be the primary aetiological cause. Once the abomasum is displaced gas production by the organ continues causing distension and further displacement.  

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

A disease of the cow affecting mainly high yielding dairy cows on high concentrate diets. Usually occurs in the first 6 weeks of lactation. Sometimes displacemnet does occur before calving, this is in late gestation and accounts for 5% of cases.  

A disease of the cow affecting mainly high yielding [[Bovine Breeds - WikiNormals#Dairy Breeds|dairy cows]] on high concentrate diets. Left displacements usually occur in the first 6 weeks of [[Lactation - Anatomy & Physiology|lactation]], although this association is less strong for right-sided displacements and cases of abomasal volvulus. Sometimes displacement does occur before calving, this is in late gestation and accounts for 5% of cases.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

Diagnosis is made on history and clinical signs in combination with auscultation findings. Using a stethoscope the entire left and right flank should be percussed. Over the region of displacement a distinct ping will be heard.  Once a ping is identified the stethoscope shoud be held over that area whist balloting the lower flank, this creates a splashing sound at the gas fluid interface which is heard as a tinkle. This confirms the presence of a displaced abomasum.

Diagnosis is made on history and clinical signs in combination with auscultation findings. Using a stethoscope the entire left and right flank should be percussed. Over the region of displacement a distinct ping will be heard.  Once a ping is identified the stethoscope should be held over that area whist balloting the lower flank, this creates a splashing sound at the gas fluid interface which is heard as a tinkle. This confirms the presence of a displaced abomasum.

==History and Clinical Signs==

==History and Clinical Signs==

A typical history would be a recently calved cow with a sudden drop in appetite and milk production. Animals display general malaise and abdominal pain. On clinical exam a rapid loss of condition may be evident, [[Ketosis of Cattle|ketosis]], decreased ruminal activity on ausculatation. Often the left flank bulges behind ribs and the temperature may be normal or slightly raised.

A typical history would be a recently calved cow with a sudden drop in appetite and milk production. Animals display general malaise and abdominal pain. On clinical exam a rapid loss of condition may be evident, [[Ketosis of Cattle|ketosis]] or decreased ruminal activity on ausculatation. Often the left ribs appear 'sprung', with a concave left paralumbar fossa, and the temperature may be normal or raised.

A '''displacement to the right (RDA)''' is less common. Decreased abomasal motility, distension and displacement occurs as in the LDA.  

 

Rotation of the abomasum on its mesenteric axis leads to volvulus and constriction of blood vessels and trauma to the vagus nerve resulting in abomasal distenstion with blood-stained fluid and gas, congested mucosa and necrosis of the abomasum, dehydration and circulatory collapse.  

There are two manifestations of [[The Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|abomasal]] displacemet. In both the [[The Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|abomasum]] becomes trapped between [[The Rumen - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]] and abdominal wall. The more comon presentation is the left displacement (LDA) which is Ventral and to the left of [[The Rumen - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]]. The omasum, reticulum and liver are also displaced.

[[The Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|Abomasal]] atony and increased gas production leads to displacement. Factors reducing abomasal motility include a high concentrate diet,increased [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|volatile fatty acids]] from the [[The Rumen - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]] and periparturient disease e.g ketosis, hypocalcaemia metritis.  Displacement to the left results in a reduced flow of ingesta as well as reduced digestion resulting in anorexia and dehydration.  

 

If electrolyte levels  and blood gas are measured affected animals develop a hypochloraemia and metabolic alkalosis due to reduced outflow of ingesta from the abomasum combined with continued secretion of hydrochloric acid into the abomasum.  

Constriction of blood vessels and trauma to the vagus nerve results in [[The Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|abomasal]] distenstion with blood-stained fluid and gas, congested mucosa and infarction.

Additionally the [[The Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|abomasum]] may rupture, causing peritonitis, shock and death.  

Hypokalaemia also develops due to alkalosis (or hyperinsulinaemia in certain cases), which drives potassium into cells combined with a reduced intake due to anorexia.

Often a severe ketosis is present resultig in raised blood butyrate.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Any concurrent diseases should be treated e.g hypocalcaemia, metritis, mastitis or ketosis.

Any concurrent diseases should be treated e.g hypocalcaemia, metritis, mastitis or ketosis.

Conservative management can be attempted in low value animals.

Conservative management can be attempted in low value animals.

Rolling can be undertakne to try and manipulate the abomasum into the correct position. This technique involves casting the cow onto her right side and rolling her over whilst percussing and balloting the pings to track the movement of the gas filled abomasum. Reoccurence is likely and success rates with this are usually 30-50%.  

 

'''Rolling''' can be undertaken to try and manipulate the abomasum into the correct position. This technique involves casting the cow onto her right side and rolling her over whilst percussing and balloting the pings to track the movement of the gas filled abomasum. Recurrence is likely and success rates with this are usually 30-50%.  

 

A number of surgical techniques are documented to correct the displacement. These include:

A number of surgical techniques are documented to correct the displacement. These include:

*Blind toggle abomasopexy

*'''Blind toggle abomasopexy'''

Toggle use is useful in low value animals as it is a cheap and fast technique. The animal is cast and rolled onto her back. Two toggles are inserted through the ventral abdominal wall into the abomasal lumen. Once positionedthe two toggles are tied together. Following his blind sutureit is possible to toggle the incorrect area resulting in fatal complications. To avoid this complication a PH strip can be used to confirm the correct location following cannulation before the toggles are put in place.  

The right flank is incised one hands distance behind the last rib and the displaced abomasum is located. The organ is then deflated and repositioned in the correct location. The omentum (+/- pylorus) is sutured to the abdominal wall and the incision is closed in a routine manor.

*Right flank omentopexy

*'''Right paramedian abomasopexy'''

The right flank is incised one hands distance behind the last rib and the displaced abomasum is located. The organ is then deflated and repositioned in the correct location. The abomasum is sutured to the abdomainl wall and the incision is closed in aroutine manor.

For this technique the cow is sedated and cast onto her back. An incision is made to the right of midline caudal to the most posterior part of the sternum. The abomasum is located, repositioned and sutured to the body wall.

*Left flank omentopexy

*'''Laparoscopic techniques'''

The left flank is incised just caudal to the last rib and the omentum adjacent to the abomasum is located. A long nylon suture is passed through the fat a few times and then through the ventral body wall. An assistant can help locate the correct position for the suture to be passed by palpated the region with a pair of artey forceps. The two pieces of suture are tied externally and hold the abomasum in the correct position whilst adhesions form.

Three general laparoscopic techniques have been developed, the two-step (Janowitz) <ref>Janovitz, H. (1998) Laparoskopische Reposition und Fixation des nach links verlagerten Labmagens beim Rind. Tierarztl Prax, 26 (G), 308-313</ref>, the one-step (Christiansen/Barisani) procedures<ref>Christiansen K. Laparoskopisch kontrollierte Operation des nach links verlagerten Labmagens (Janowitz-Operation) ohne Ablegen des Patienten. Tierärz Prax, 2004; 32(5):118-121.</ref><ref>Barisani C. Evoluzione della tecnica di Janowitz per la risoluzione della dislocazione abomasale sinistra secondo Barisani. Summa, 2004; 5:35-39.</ref>, and the recumbent one-step method (Newman) <ref>Newman KD, Anderson DE, Silveira F. One-step laparoscopic abomasopexy for correction of left-sided displacement of the abomasum in dairy cows. JAVMA, 2005; 227(7):1142-1147, 1090</ref>. Both the Janowitz and Christiansen/Barisani methods start with port placement in the left paralumbar fossa of the standing cow, followed by abomasal trocharisation under laparoscopic guidance, modified toggle placement and deflation of the displaced abomasum. Then, in the two-step Janowitz procedure, the cow is rolled, two more portals are placed ventrally, and the suture line of the preplaced toggle is retrieved and tied externally around a piece of gauze. In the standing one-step method, a special tool (spieker) is introduced through the left 11-12 intercostal space or through the paralumbar fossa and is used to push the toggle (and abomasum) ventrally and pierce the body wall in the desired location, where it is again tied externally. In the recumbent one-step method (Newman), the cow is anaesthetised in dorsal recumbency and an intracorporeal suture line is placed under laparoscopic guidance to anchor the abomasal body to the ventral abdominal wall, reducing the risk of abomasal fistula formation by avoiding perforation of the abomasal lumen.  

*Right paramedian abomasopexy

Advantages of laparoscopic methods may include a more rapid procedure, faster recovery to milk and gastrointestinal motility and lower postoperative morbidity/mortality (compared with right flank omentopexy) <ref>Wittek, T., Locher, L.F., Alkaassem, A., Constable, P.D. (2009) Effect of surgical correction of left displaced abomasum by means of omentopexy via right flank laparotomy or two-step laparoscopy-guided abomasopexy on postoperative abomasal emptying rate in lactating dairy cows. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 5, 652-657.</ref>, and validation of toggle placement, lower morbidity/mortality, visualisation of concurrent pathology, and potentially a lower redisplacement rate (vs blind toggle placement). The prime disadvantages are the cost of the equipment required, and a steep learning curve for intracorporeal suturing (Newman method). Laparoscopic techniques for correction of right-sided displacements and cases of abomasal volvulus have also been developed <ref>Kümper H, Seeger T (2003) Labmagenverlagerung beim erwachsenen Rind. Teil 3: Therapie (Fortsetzung), prae- und postoperative Behandlung, Prognose. Tierärztliche Praxis, 31 (G), 224-230</ref>.

For this technique the cow is sedated and cast onto her back. An incision is made to the right of midline caudal to the most posterior part of the sternum. The abomasum is located, repositioned and sutured to the body wall.  

   

   

It is important that post-operatively the cow is given a large amount of roughage and slowly given increasing amounts of concentrate.

It is important for all surgical techniques that post-operatively the cow is given a large amount of roughage and concentrates are introduced into the diet slowly.

 

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

On farms with a high incidence of LDAs or RDAs it is likely that there is a problem with the diet of cows in early lactation and this should be addressed. Overall cases can be reduced by maintaining adequate roughage, avoiding a rapid decrease in rumen volume following calving hence avoiding rapid dietary changes and postparturient illness( hypocalcaemia, ketosis, metritis).

On farms with a high incidence of LDAs or RDAs it is likely that there is a problem with the diet of cows in early lactation and this should be addressed. Overall cases can be reduced by maintaining adequate roughage intake, avoiding a rapid decrease in rumen volume following calving, preventing rapid dietary changes and postparturient illness (hypocalcaemia, ketosis, metritis).

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

Following surgical correction of an uncomplicated displacement sucess rates can reach 95%. Abomasomal volvulus and the presence of an abomasal ulcer are associated with a much poorer prognosis. Additionally tachycardia, decreased temperature, black faeces and a long period of illness are all associated with poorer outcomes.

Following surgical correction of an uncomplicated displacement, short term success rates can reach 95%. Abomasomal volvulus and the presence of an abomasal ulcer are associated with a much poorer prognosis. Additionally tachycardia, decreased temperature, black faeces and a long period of illness are all associated with poorer outcomes.

 

 

==References==

==References==

 

 

[[Category:To_Do_-_Caz]]

[[Category:Stomach_and_Abomasum_-_Pathology]][[Category:Gastric Diseases - Cattle]]

[[Category:Brian Aldridge reviewing]]