Synonyms

Abomasal torsion to the right, abomasal volvulus

Name of the disease in English

Acute abomasal volvulus – Spontaneous or following abomasal dilatation

The disease in brief

Abomasal volvulus can be spontaneous or follow a dilatation of the organ, which can vary the course and clinical presentation of the disease. The disease primarily affects high-producing dairy cows receiving a high-energy density ration, or a low fiber content at pasture. Rarer cases can occur in bulls or other categories of ruminants, such as calves. (Dedicated memo).

Clinic & diagnosis

As with right abomasum dilation, the warning sign for the farmer may be a cow that is eating poorly after calving, or that is swollen on the right, or that cannot get up. At the volvulus stage, the difference lies in the severe impairment of the general condition, revealed in particular by enophthalmos and marked dejection.

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 (flow noise)

– 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:

– Light, dry droppings (approaching the shape of horse droppings), or nothing in the rectum or only white mucus (sometimes tinged with blood) following constipation or other abnormal droppings.

– 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

-Intestinal obstruction-ileus DG33.1
-Dilatation of the cecum with or without flexion N80

- Dilatation of the cecum with volvulus N79
-Acute peritonitis OBST1.2
-Hydropis 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 generally clinically more severely affected than with simple DCD.

Prognosis and treatment

The prognosis is very reserved to gloomy. Severe volvulus must be treated surgically: right laparotomy allowing drainage; intensive intravenous rehydration; rumen reseeding. The prognosis varies according to:

• the severity of the volvulus: if rotation < 180°, prognosis good if immediate surgical treatment and absence of parietal lesion; if rotation of more than 180°, risk of damage to the vascularization or innervation of the abomasum (necrosis or atony of the abomasum).
• the number of structures involved in the volvulus (leaflet, network, etc.).
• Post-operative evolution: digestive transit must resume quickly with the emission of diarrheal faeces in the first 24 hours then return to a normal, firmer consistency. Warning: it may happen that a cow eats and drinks immediately after surgery then, after 2-3 days, presents a total stop of digestive transit and, finally, vagus due to atony of the abomasum.

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.