Clinical and anatomopathological diagnosis in bovines affected by perforated abomasal ulcers and with comorbities

This study describes the findings of the clinical and anatomopathological diagnosis in cattle affected by perforated abomasal ulcers and with comorbidities. Twenty-five cattle were evaluated, young (n=8, aged less than two years) and adults (n=17, aged greater than two and a half years), diagnosed with perforated abomasal ulcers. Epidemiological information was retrieved from the medical records. Blood, ruminal fluid, and peritoneal fluid (PI) samples were collected for laboratory examination. Ultrasound examination, exploratory laparotomy, and post mortem examinations were performed for diagnostic purposes. The main clinical findings of perforated ulcers in the present study were: apathy, dehydration, intestinal hypomotility, diarrheal stools, hypomotile or atonic rumen, tachycardia, tachypnea, abdominal distention with bilateral bulging, and increased abdominal tension. The most frequent abnormal hematological findings were hypoproteinemia and neutrophilic leukocytosis with a left shift. The peritoneal fluid (PL) showed an inflammatory reaction in the cytology, characteristic of an exudate. A confirmatory diagnosis of peritonitis by ultrasonography was possible in five cases, and in two cases at exploratory laparotomy. In the post mortem examination, the ulcers were characterized as type 3, 4, or 5, with comorbidities present in 68% of the cases. It is necessary to combine ultrasonography with abdominal centesis and exploratory laparotomy procedures to suggest perforated ulcers. However, post mortem examination better characterizes the type of perforated ulcer present, particularly type 5.