Displaced Abomasum

Also known as:

Twisted stomach LDA RDA

Description

This is much less dramatic than a displaced stomach in the dog, and develops chronically. The abomasum is the fourth stomach of the cow and hangs loosely by the omentum. It can move from its normal position to left displcement where it becomes trapped under the rumen or a right displacement which may result in abomasal volvulus and torsion. 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

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.

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.

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, decreased ruminal activity on ausculatation. Often the left flank bulges behind ribs and the temperature may be normal or slightly raised.

Pathogenesis

• There are two manifestations of abomasal displacemet. In both the abomasum becomes trapped between rumen and abdominal wall.
  1. Ventral and to the left of rumen (LDA) - the more common presentation.

• 1. • Abomasal atony and increased gas production lead to displacement. The condition is induced by the combination of a high concentrate diet, hypocalcaemia and increased volatile fatty acids from the rumen. A displacement to the right an RDA is less common.
     • Constriction of blood vessels and trauma to the vagus nerve results in abomasal distenstion with blood-stained fluid and gas, congested mucosa and infarction.

Additionally the abomasum may rupture, causing peritonitis, shock and death.

• May be associated with secondary development of ketosis.

Treatment

Any concurrent diseases should be treated e.g hypocalcaemia, metritis, mastitis or ketosis. 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%. A number of surgical techniques are documented to correct the displacement. These include:

• 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.

• Right flank omentopexy

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.

• Left flank omentopexy

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.

• Right paramedian abomasopexy

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.

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).

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.