Ultrasonographic examination of the omasum, liver, and small and large intestines in cows with right displacement of the abomasum and abomasal volvulus.
OBJECTIVE
To describe ultrasonographic appearance of the liver, small and large intestines, and omasum in cows with right displacement of the abomasum (RDA) and with abomasal volvulus (AV) and to determine whether RDA and AV can be differentiated on the basis of ultrasonographic findings.


METHODS
17 cows with RDA, 9 cows with AV, and 10 healthy control cows.


METHODS
A linear transducer was used to examine the abomasum, liver, omasum, and small and large intestines from the right side. Results-The liver was imaged less frequently in cows with RDA or AV, compared with control cows. In 9 cows with RDA or AV, the liver could not be imaged. The small intestine was imaged less frequently in cows with RDA or AV than in control cows; in cows with AV, the small intestine could not be imaged in the 8th, 9th, or 10th intercostal space. The large intestine was imaged less frequently in the 11th and 12th intercostal spaces and the cranial region of the flank in cows with RDA or AV. The omasum was also imaged less frequently in the 8th and 9th intercostal spaces in cows with RDA or AV. Cows with RDA or AV could not be differentiated on the basis of ultrasonographic findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with control cows, cows with RDA and AV had changes in positioning and therefore extent of ultrasonographic imaging of the liver, omasum, and small and large intestines; however, these findings were not useful in differentiating between cows with RDA and AV.
Department of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Ueli
U
Braun
Bernhard
B
Feller
Michael
M
Hässig
Karl
K
Nuss
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009851:Omasum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013277:Stomach Volvulus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000662:veterinary