The clinical history, findings and course of illness in 20 cattle with abom
asal rupture is described from a retrospective study of records. All cases,
except two, were in Simmental (Fleckvieh) cattle, fifteen were male and fi
ve female. The study involved a search of records of cattle of all ages, bu
t only calves up to the age of three months were affected Two animals had b
een fed on milk or milk replacer and for eighteen animals these were the ma
in feed source, which is assumed to be of pathogenetic significance. Onset
of disease was sudden in all animals with marked abdominal distension occur
ring initially in almost all cases. Even though the calves were referred to
the clinic rapidly, the majority were in. a marked state of shock and two
were dead on arrival. Significant clinical findings occurred included recum
bency (17/18) and severe abdominal distension in most cases. The absence of
a ping and splashing sounds or diffuse sounds of very low intensity an per
cussion and ballottment indicate abomasal rupture. From the course of the i
llness, the clinical and necropsy findings it is assumed that rupture was p
receeded by severe abomasal dilatation, with or without torsion. It was not
possible to determine whether rupture occurred spontaneously or as a conse
quence of therapeutic measures before hospitalisation. Puncture was used in
six cases and a trocar had been inserted in three cases. Abomasal ulcers w
ere not observed in any of the cases. Currently, once abomasal rupture has
occurred spontaneously death is inevitable.