This study was conducted on twelve Holstein dairy cows in a private farm at El-Khatatba, Minufyia Governorate. Five cows were clinically healthy and considered as control. The other seven cows showed signs of abomasal displacement that involve anorexia, sudden drop of milk yield, scanty pasty faeces, colic and ketotic odour of the breath. By thorough clinical examination, three cows were affected with left displacement of abomasums (LDA) and four cows with right displacement of abomasum (LDA). The characteristic tinkling sounds were heard on simultaneous percussion and auscultation of the dorsal flank, especially on the cranial third of paralumbar fossa in LDA and between 9th and 12th ribs on the right dorso-lateral aspect of the body in RDA. All these signs were recorded 3-6 weeks after calving. Hematological examinations revealed a significant increase of PCV% and Hb concentration with non-significant changes in WBCs and RBCs counts. Serum biochemical analysis showed a significant decrease of serum sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and glucose, while a significant increase in serum total proteins, ALT, AST, LDH, CPK, urea and creatinine was recorded. Ultrasonographic examination of abomasum showed a narrow echogenic line representing abomasal wall. Parts of abomasal folds were occasionally visible as elongated, echogenic and sickle-shaped structures. The dorsal abomasal cap was characterized by reverberation artifacts. The ingesta were visualized ventrally and appeared echogenic to hypoechogenic. In cows with LDA, the rumen was displaced by the abomasum more dorsally and the abomasum was visualized between the left abdominal wall and the rumen. While in cows with RDA, the liver was displaced medially from the right abdominal wall. Trials for medical treatment were successful in three cows only whereas, the other four cows were irresponsive to therapy and were salvaged. Therapeutic response was correlated to early diagnosis. |
