Diagnostic reliability of clinical signs in cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and abomasal ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Clinical signs of traumatic reticuloperitonitis and abomasal ulcer are often similar making the disorders difficult to differentiate. The goal of our study was to compare the frequency of individual clinical signs of cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and cows with abomasal ulcers and determine their diagnostic significance. The frequency of the findings "rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, demeanour, signs of colic, arched back, abdominal guarding, bruxism, scleral vessels, rumen motility, foreign body tests, percussion auscultation, swinging auscultation and faecal colour" of cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP, n = 503) and cows with type 1 (U1, n = 94), type 2 (U2, n = 145), type 3 (U3, n = 60), type 4 (U4, n = 87) and type 5 (U5, n = 14) abomasal ulcer were compared, and the reliability indices "diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values and positive likelihood ratio" were calculated. A total of 182 healthy cows served as controls (control group). RESULTS: None of the cows in the control group had colic, rumen atony or melena, 99% had no abnormalities in demeanor and appetite and did not have a rectal temperature of ≤38.6 or >  40.0 °C, a heart rate >  100 bpm or a respiratory rate >  55 breaths per min, and 95% did not have an arched back or bruxism. The control group was therefore ideal for comparative purposes. Many signs such as mild increase in rectal temperature, scleral congestion and positive foreign body test were non-diagnostic because they occurred in healthy as well as in ill cows. Likewise, differentiation of cows with TRP and abomasal ulcer was not possible based on single clinical variables; a detailed history and a comprehensive assessment of all clinical findings were required for this. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study serve as a guide for the veterinarian in the differentiation of cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and abomasal ulcer.

Clinical and laboratory findings in 503 cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis.

BACKGROUND: The study evaluated the results of clinical examination and haematological and serum biochemical analyses in 503 cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP). RESULTS: The most common clinical findings were abnormal demeanour and general condition (87%), decreased rumen motility (72%), poorly digested faeces (57%), decreased rumen fill (49%), fever (43%) and tachycardia (26%). In 58% of the cattle, at least one of three tests for reticular foreign bodies (pinching of the withers, pressure on the xiphoid and percussion of the abdominal wall) was positive, and in 42% all three tests were negative. The most common haematological findings were decreased haematocrit in 45% of cattle and leukocytosis in 42%. An increase in the concentration of fibrinogen in 69% of cattle and total protein in 64% were the main biochemical findings. The glutaraldehyde test time was decreased with coagulation occurring within 6 min in 75% of cattle. CONCLUSIONS: In many cases, a diagnosis of TRP is not possible based on individual clinical or laboratory findings because even the most common abnormalities are not seen in all cattle with TRP.

[Squamous cell carcinoma of the reticulum and liver in a Simmental cow]. / Plattenepithelkarzinom in Haube und Leber bei einer Fleckviehkuh.

This report describes an 8.8-year-old Simmental cow with squamous cell carcinoma of the reticulum and liver. The cow had calved recently and was referred to our clinic because of intractable fever, anorexia and progressive indigestion. The general condition and mental status were moderately affected and rectal temperature and respiratory rate were significantly elevated. There were no ruminal sounds and pinching of the withers consistently elicited a grunt. Serum activities of gamma glutamyl transferase, glutamate dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase were elevated. Radiographic examination of the reticulum and ultrasonographic examination of the reticulum, liver and abdominal cavity revealed multifocal, poorly demarcated, heterogeneous and echogenic changes in the liver. Biopsy of these lesions yielded a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. The cow was euthanized and a postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis. A 15 by 15 cm neoplasm was found in the reticular wall, and histological examination showed squamous cell carcinoma. It was assumed that the reticular mass was the primary tumour, which metastasized to the liver via the portal vein.

Splenectomy for treatment of suppurative splenitis caused by a reticular foreign body in a heifer.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical findings and treatment of a heifer with suppurative splenitis. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report. ANIMALS: A 30-month-old heifer. METHODS: Splenectomy in the standing calf after local anesthesia and 13th rib resection. RESULTS: The heifer had an uneventful recovery but was culled because of septic tarsitis 3 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy is a useful treatment for cattle with traumatic splenitis if diagnosed early. Partial splenectomy may have prevented the late complication of septic tarsitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Suppurative splenitis is usually a complication of hardware disease and has a grave prognosis unless splenectomy is carried out.

An unusual cause of traumatic reticulitis/reticuloperitonitis in a herd of Swiss dairy cows nearby an airport.

This report describes the findings in five cows from one dairy herd, in which all 31 cows were slaughtered or euthanised because of traumatic reticuloperitonitis. All the cows had numerous thin sharp pieces of metal attached to a magnet in the reticulum, giving the magnet a hedgehog-like appearance. Investigation revealed that the cattle had eaten forage harvested from a field immediately adjacent to an airport. The snow was cleared from the airport runways with a machine that had a wire-bristle brush attachment. Mechanical wear resulted in numerous wire bristles breaking and these were blown with the snow onto the field in question. The wire then became accidentally incorporated into the hay and grass silage at harvest the next summer and was ingested by the cattle in the fall and winter. To prevent further cases, approximately 200 tonnes of hay and grass silage contaminated with wire were discarded and 30 hectares of the 50-hectare field were cultivated and re-sown. The wire-bristles of the snow plow were replaced with plastic bristles. The cost of this and the livestock loss was several hundred thousand Swiss Francs.

Comparison of blood serum proteins in water buffaloes with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and sequellae.

In this study, 73 cows with different types of traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) and sequellae along with 25 healthy buffalo cows were used to evaluate the total blood serum protein and protein electrophoresis. According to rumenotomy or necropsy findings, the affected buffalo cows were classified into acute local TRP (AL-TRP), chronic local TRP (CL-TRP), reticular abscess (RA), acute diffuse TRP (AD-TRP), purulent pericarditis (PPC) and fibrinous pericarditis (FPC). Polyclonal gammopathy was characteristic for the electrophoretogram of buffalo cows with CL-TRP (55%), RA (61.1%) and PPC (62.5%). Various degrees of hypoalbuminaemia, hyper-alpha-globulinaemia and low A/G ratios were the associated changes in all cases of TRP and sequellae. Hyper-beta-globulinaemia was noticed in cases with CL-TRP, RA and PPC. Hyper-gamma-globulinaemia was evident in cases with AL-TRP, CL-TRP, RA and PPC. Hyperproteinaemia was noticed in buffalo cows with local complications of TRP including AL-TRP, CL-TRP and RA. Hypoproteinaemia associated with severe hypoalbuminaemia (>50% reduction compared to controls) and very low A/G ratios (<0.4) characterized buffalo cows with AD-TRP, PPC or FPC. In conclusion, the concentrations and electrophoretic patterns of serum proteins in buffaloes differ according to the anatomical location of the foreign body and the associated pathological lesions.

Renal amyloidosis in cattle with inflammatory diseases.

BACKGROUND: The association of inflammatory diseases such as traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP), mastitis, metritis, and pododermatitis with renal amyloidosis in cattle is poorly described. HYPOTHESIS: Serum amyloid A (SAA) levels are elevated during inflammatory diseases, and renal amyloidosis is formed as a complication. ANIMALS: This study was conducted with 82 crossbred cattle with mastitis (n = 18 cows), metritis (n = 11 cows), TRP (n = 30 cows), and pododermatitis (n = 23 : 15 cows and 8 beef cattle). Ten clinically healthy cows served as controls. METHODS: Hematological, urinary, and blood parameters, including SAA, were measured by an automated procedure provided with trade kits. Determination of amyloidal structures was made by histopathological examination of renal biopsy specimens. RESULTS: At the end of this trial, amyloidosis was detected in 5 cows displaying typical nephrotic syndrome, with hypoproteinemia and proteinuria in combination with polyuria and weight loss. Furthermore, it was observed that cows with renal amyloidosis had significantly higher (P < .01) total leukocyte counts, serum and urine enzyme activities, and urea and creatinine concentrations, with lower serum total protein concentrations, when compared with animals without renal amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The incidence of AA amyloidosis in cattle in this study suggests that cattle with mastitis, metritis, and pododermatitis have a high prevalence of systemic amyloidosis in response to inflammation.

Use of cardiac troponin kits for the qualitative determination of myocardial cell damage due to traumatic reticuloperitonitis in cattle.

This study was designed to investigate whether kits to measure circulating cardiac troponin-I (cTn-I) and cardiac troponin-T (cTn-T) can be used to determine myocardial cell damage in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (trp). Twenty cattle with trp were compared with 10 clinically healthy cattle. cTn-I and cTn-T were determined qualitatively and cTn-I was determined quantitatively; biochemical analyses were also performed on both groups. The mean serum concentrations of total protein, globulin, glucose and calcium, and the mean activities of creatine kinase mb, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were higher in the cattle with trp than in the control group. The cTn-I and cTn-T kits both gave positive results in three of the cattle with trp and the quantitative measurement of cTn-I was positive in 11 of the trp cases. Both tests were negative in the healthy cattle.

Ultrasonographic and radiographic findings in 503 cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis.

This study involved 503 cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP), 494 of which underwent ultrasonographic and 484 radiographic examination of the reticulum. Ultrasonography revealed changes in the reticulum and/or peritoneum suggestive of peritonitis in 403 (83%) cattle, a decrease in the amplitude of reticular contractions in 244 (54%) and reduced or absent reticular motility in 173 (37%). A total of 536 foreign bodies were seen on 465 (96%) radiographs and a magnet was seen on 311 (64%) radiographs. Of the 536 foreign bodies, 300 (56%) were not attached to a magnet and 236 (44%) were attached. Of 300 radiographs showing foreign bodies not attached to a magnet, the foreign body was lying flat on the floor of the reticulum on 98 (18%) radiographs, was at an angle of greater than 30 degrees to the ventral aspect of the reticulum on 54 (10%), had penetrated the dorsal reticular wall on 76 (14%), had perforated the reticulum on 64 (12%) and was completely outside of the reticulum on 8 (1%) radiographs. Ultrasonography provides information about the scale and localisation of inflammatory changes of the peritoneum, and radiography allows the visualisation of ferromagnetic foreign bodies and magnets.

Alterations in coagulation profiles and biochemical and haematological parameters in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis.

This study was designed to investigate alterations in coagulation, and in biochemical and haematological parameters in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP). In the study, 28 dairy cattle with TRP and 10 clinically healthy cattle (control) of different ages and breeds were used. Cattle with TRP had prolonged prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Erythrocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and hyperfibrinogenaemia were detected in animals with TRP. Furthermore, the serum concentrations of total protein, globulin and total bilirubin, and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were also high in cattle with TRP compared to those of the control group. The serum concentrations of calcium were significantly low in the TRP group. The results of this study, therefore, indicate that TRP causes significant coagulation abnormalities and biochemical and haematological alterations in dairy cattle.

Investigations of foreign bodies in the fore-stomach of cattle at Ngoma Slaughterhouse, Rwanda.

Ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies in cattle is a pathological condition of both economic and health importance. It is has mostly been reported in association with feed scarcity. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and nature of indigestible foreign materials in abattoir fore-stomach specimens in Ngoma district, Rwanda. Each chamber was opened by incision, then given a thorough macroscopic examination by visual inspection and palpation for the presence of foreign materials. The results show that there is an overall occurrence of 17.4% foreign bodies in cattle. The highest occurrence (25.3%) was recorded in June (the driest month). Results further show that the majority of the foreign bodies were plastics (65.0%). More foreign bodies (29.5%) were found in older animals (5 years and above) than in younger and middle-aged animals (16.5 % and 6.0%, respectively). There was a higher prevalence of foreign bodies in female cattle (20.0%) than in males (15.7%). The presence of cassette tape, as observed in the study, has not been reported elsewhere. The high representation of plastics in animals (65.5%) in the light of a government plastic bag ban in supermarkets presents a major challenge to livestock production in Rwanda. What is disturbing is that it is not known if this problem is increasing or decreasing as there are no previous studies for comparison. However, the results will serve as a reference point for future studies to understand the true trend and true burden of plastic bags in livestock.

The effects of ovariectomy on the mechanical properties of skin in rats.

OBJECTIVE: After menopause, observable changes occur in the physical characteristics of the human skin. These changes and their responses to various treatments can be assessed with non-invasive in-vivo mechanical tests. However, tests measuring breaking strength and tensile strengths can only be done ex-vivo, they require relatively higher quantities of skin and thus have generally been performed on animals. Mechanical changes in the skin of ovariectomized rats, an appropriate model for the study of postmenopausal period, have not been dealt with in the literature. In this study mechanical characteristics of the skin, such as breaking strength and tensile strength have been tested and studied histologically in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Sixteen rats were divided into two groups, one undergoing ovariectomy and one control group undergoing a sham operation. Three months later, the rats were sacrificed and tensile properties of their back skins were tested with a tensometer and evaluated histologically. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Breaking strength, tensile strength and the Young's modulus have increased and the thickness of the subcutis has decreased in ovariectomized rats. This study should be tested by others, because of existence of some conflicts between available knowledge and the results, relating to postmenopausal skin changes.

Acute disseminated Aspergillosis in a cow with special reference to penetration and spread.

Acute disseminated aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus is reported in a 4-year-old cow given broad spectrum antibiotics and anti-inflammatory therapy. All stomach compartments were infected and hyphal invasion of gastric blood vessels was the probable source of generalization to the liver, lung and kidneys. Throughout the Peyer's patches of the jejunum there were acute necrotic foci with Aspergillus hyphae and similar foci occurred in the corresponding mesenteric lymph nodes. This points to the Peyer's patches being a portal of entry for A. fumigatus to the lymphatic system of the intestine.

Radiographic findings before and after oral administration of a magnet in cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate by use of radiography the efficacy of oral administration of magnets in the treatment of traumatic reticuloperitonitis in cows. ANIMALS: 90 cows referred because of indigestion. PROCEDURE: Radiography of the reticulum was performed. In all cows, radiographic findings revealed a metal foreign body in the reticulum. A magnet was administered orally, and the reticulum was again radiographed to assess the position of the magnet and to determine whether the foreign body was attached to the magnet. RESULTS: The magnet was observed in the reticulum in 75 cows and in the cranial aspect of the dorsal sac of the rumen in 9 cows; in 6 cows, the magnet was not observed. The foreign body was fully attached to the magnet in 49 cows. In 6 cows, the foreign body was in contact with the magnet but still penetrated the reticulum. In 24 cows, the foreign body did not contact the magnet, and in 11 cows, it was not clear whether the foreign body was attached to the magnet. A foreign body at an angle to the ventral aspect of the reticulum of > 3 degrees was less likely to become attached to a magnet, compared with a foreign body situated horizontally on the ventral aspect of the reticulum. A foreign body with no contact to the ventral aspect of the reticulum or a perforating foreign body was also less likely to become attached to a magnet. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Position of the foreign body within the reticulum greatly influences the efficacy of treatment with a magnet.

A comparative study of the thickness of the tunica muscularis in the forestomach and abomasum of grey, white and black Karakul lambs.

Homozygous grey Karakul lambs are born with a lethal genetic factor responsible for death and weaning age. When put on a high roughage diet under field conditions they develop distended, thin-walled rumens and sand impacted abomasa. Homozygous white Karakul lambs have a similar factor but survive for a longer period. Black Karakul lambs are not affected. The present study was undertaken to compare by image analysis the thickness of the tunica muscularis of the forestomach and abomasum of 24-hour old grey, white and black Karakul lambs. One square centimetre samples were taken from equivalent areas in each case of the rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum of 38 embalmed Karakul lambs. Haematoxylin and eosin stained histological sections of each sample were studied with a Vids 2 Image Analyzer and the thickness of the circular and longitudinal muscle layers was measured. An analysis of variance indicated a significant difference between the groups in the thickness of the tunica muscularis of the rumen, reticulum and abomasum; the grey group displaying the thinnest and the black group the thickest. The omasa were not affected. The study indicates a reduction in thickness of the tunica muscularis of the homozygous grey and white lambs when compared to normal black lambs.

Reticulo-omasal stenosis in the cow: differential diagnosis with respect to pyloric stenosis.

In the complex called vagal indigestion two main types of stenosis can be distinguished, pyloric stenosis and stenosis between the reticulum and omasum or reticulo-omasal stenosis. Laboratory examinations of blood and rumen fluid were carried out in 10 cows with reticulo-omasal stenosis. The results are discussed with respect to the differential diagnoses of pyloric stenosis. In the cows with reticulo-omasal stenosis no metabolic alkalosis occurred and consequently dehydration and uraemia did not develop. For the clinician valuable points of difference were a more prolonged and chronic course and, on physical examination, the absence of serious circulatory disturbances and the absence of an ammoniacal-uraemic odour in the expired air. The clinical picture of reticulo-omasal stenosis strongly resembles a syndrome described as failure of omasal transport.

Ultrasonographic findings in cattle with pleuropneumonia.

The clinical, ultrasonographic and radiographic findings in three cows and one bull with pleuropneumonia are described. All the animals had fever, indigestion, tachypnoea and abnormal lung sounds. Percussion of the thoracic wall elicited signs of pain and tests for foreign bodies were positive. Ultrasonographic examination revealed an accumulation of anechogenic to hypoechogenic fluid in the pleural space in the ventral thorax of all the animals. In one animal, echogenic bands of fibrin were observed between the thoracic wall and pulmonary surface. In another, parts of the right lung were not inflated because of severe bronchopneumonia. Radiographic examination revealed a pleural effusion, apparent as a horizontal fluid line, in three animals. In addition, the increased radiopacity in parts of the dorsal lung fields and increased bronchial and peribronchial markings suggested bronchopneumonia. In three animals, the radiographs revealed linear foreign bodies in the reticulum, suggesting that the pleuropneumonia was caused by the penetration of the foreign body into the thoracic cavity. A diagnosis of pleuropneumonia was made in all the animals on the basis of the clinical, ultrasonographic and radiographic findings and the analysis of the pleural fluid. The diagnosis was confirmed at slaughter in three of them; the fourth animal was treated and was clinically healthy when it was discharged.

Kikuyu poisoning of cattle in New South Wales and its relationship to pasture fungi on kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum).

In the late summer and autumn of 1980 kikuyu poisoning of cattle was diagnosed on 9 farms in New South Wales resulting in 213 deaths among 1370 cattle at risk. Clinical, autopsy and histopathological findings are described and are consistent with those previously recorded. Kikuyu grass samples from 5 paddocks in which deaths were occurring were examined for the presence of fungi. Myrothecium spp were not present. Fusarium semitectum, F. moniliforme var subglutinans, Penicillium spp and a Phoma sp were the most common fungi isolated but with the exception of F. semitectum were not consistently present. F. semitectum was present in adjacent kikuyu grass paddocks in which deaths were not occurring. Two of the farms had army caterpillar (Mythimna convecta) infestations. Army caterpillar faeces present in these paddocks did not contain Myrothecium spp; the fungi present reflected the population present on the kikuyu grass. These findings do not suggest a mycotic cause for kikuyu poisoning.

Patho-anatomy of herniation of the reticulum through the diaphragm in the bovine.

Dissection of embalmed and untreated water buffalo carcasses (n=10) revealed that hernias had occurred at the musculotendinous junction of the diaphragm, ventral to the foramen venae cavae and slightly lateral to the median plane. The diameter of the hernial ring varied from 7 cm to 20 cm. Herniation was more common in the right thoracic cavity with the reticulum firmly adherent to the hernia ring. Adhesions between the herniated portion of the reticulum and pleura, lung, pericardium or thoracic wall were present, while in a few cases thick fibrous tracts concealing metallic bodies were found. In two cases, involvement of esophageal groove with malalignment of cardia and reticulo-omasal opening was observed. Displacement and compression of the heart was observed in four animals.

[Outbreak of paraventricular and ventricular mucormycosis in fattening bulls]. / Hromadny výskyt paraventrikulární a ventrikulární mukormykózy u býkü ve výkrmu

There is a description of mass occurrence of nine cases of acute, fatal paraventricular and ventricular mucormycosis in fattened bulls at the age of about 18 months. In the reticulum, the disease was characterized by numerous ulcerations penetrating into the submucosa. In rumen the deposits were of hemorrhagic character penetrating through a thick muscular layer into the subserosa. Hemorrhagic peritonitis was within the range of those changes. Thromboses of arteries and veins prevailed in the microscopic picture. Inflammatory reparative changes were formed by neutrophile leucocytes. Mucoraceum fibres were demonstrated in pathological manifestations. In three cases, strains of Rhizopus cohnii and Absidia ramosa were cultivated simultaneously from the sub-ulcerous layers in the reticulum. A number of findings testify that the mass occurrence of mucormycosis followed the feeding of mouldy bakery wastes on the basis of acidosis.