CONCURRENT ABOMASAL DISPLACEMENT AND PERFORATING ULCERATION IN CATTLE- 21 CASES (1985-1996)

Objective-To evaluate the association of physical examination and clin icopathologic findings with surgical findings in cattle with concurren t abomasal displacement and perforating ulceration, to determine short -and long-term survival rates in these cattle, and to determine whethe r degree of peritonitis (focal vs diffuse) influences survival rates. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-21 cattle with concurrent abomasal displacement and perforating ulceration and 42 cattle with uncomplica ted abomasal displacement. Procedure-Information on signalment, stage of lactation, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic data, s urgical diagnosis, procedure(s) performed, and necropsy findings were retrieved from medical records of all cattle included in this study. D ifferences between physical examination findings of cattle with concur rent disease and those of cattle with uncomplicated displacements were evaluated, as were differences between survival rates in cattle with focal versus diffuse peritonitis. Results-Cattle with concurrent disea se had a greater probability of having pneumoperitoneum and signs of a bdominal pain identified on physical examination than did cattle with uncomplicated diseases. There was no relationship between clinicopatho logic data and survival time. Short-term survival rate was 38%, and de gree of peritonitis significantly influenced survival time in cattle w ith concurrent abomasal displacement and perforating ulceration. Long- term survival rate in these cattle was 14%. Clinical Implications-Catt le with concurrent displaced abomasum and perforating ulceration have a poor chance for survival. In addition to detection of displaced abom asum, physical examination findings that can help lead to a presurgica l diagnosis of this syndrome are pneumoperitoneum and signs of abdomin al pain.