Synonyms

No known synonym

Name of the disease in English

Right-sided displacement of the abomasum, right displacement of abomasum (RDA)

The disease in brief

Right abomasal dilatation (RAD) is a much less common problem than left abomasal displacement. The causes of this dilatation are similar to those of left displacement: the disease primarily affects high-producing dairy cows receiving a high-energy density ration, or a low fiber content in pasture. Abomasal dilatation is caused by gases from fermentation. 9/10 cases occur within 6 weeks of calving, especially in cows with little exercise. Rarer cases can occur in bulls or other categories of ruminants, such as calves. (Dedicated memo).

Clinic & diagnosis

The warning sign for the breeder may be a cow that is eating poorly after calving, or that is bloated on the right side, or that cannot get up.

Clinical signs alone can lead to suspicion of the disease, such as:

– the “Ping”, a high-pitched metallic noise heard on auscultation percussion on the right, straddling the hypochondrium, over an area 10 to 20 cm in diameter

– the “splash”, a tinkling noise reminiscent of a drop of water falling into a well at the succussion of the lower right flank

– Localized swelling of the right flank, at the top or in its entirety (apple on the right)

It is more often an association of 2 symptoms from one of these groups which leads to suspicion:

– Finely ground dung (or tending to the consistency of mustard), small-volume diarrhea, or scant, dry dung (towards the shape of horse droppings), or in the rectum or only white mucus (sometimes tinged with blood) following constipation or other abnormal dung.

– More or less pronounced enophthalmos
– Bruxism or colic.

– Marked to severe ketonuria, or a positive milk ketone test or recent treatment for ketosis that was unsuccessful.

 

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

– Primary ketosis MET5
– Chronic reticulorumen indigestion DG25

– Traumatic reticuloperitonitis DG27

– Intestinal obstruction-ileus DG33.1

– Dilatation of the cecum with or without flexion N80

– Acute peritonitis OBST1.2

– Dropsy of the fetal envelopes RE20.2

Confirm a suspicion?

– Transcutaneous ultrasound of the abomasum : the liver no longer appears applied against the peritoneum. The preoperative differentiation between a simple dilatation on the right and an abomasum volvulus (ABV) is not not always easy although animals with VC are usually clinically more severely affected (shocked) than with simple DCD.

Prognosis and treatment

Limited dilations without too strong general repercussions can be treated medically:

-Calcium borogluconate 25%-500ml-IV, hay diet for 3-5 days

-Correction of dehydration

Severe dilatations must be treated surgically: right laparotomy allowing drainage; intensive intravenous rehydration; reseeding of the rumen.

Prevention

Prevention is based on a dry-off ration that prepares the transition to the lactation ration with a gradual increase in the concentrate rate and a well-maintained fiber rate. Give the cows exercise.

References

Veterinary Medicine-Pocket companion -9th Edition BLOOD DC-page 109

Adjou K., Belbis G., Millemann Y., Ravary-Plumioën B.- Course at the National Veterinary School of Alfort-2016-238p.