Clinical and Ultrasonographic examinations in cattle with empty rectum

Ultrasonography helps in early diagnosis of large animal digestive disorders especially in cattle with empty rectum and also to initiate early therapeutic and surgical management. The study was undertaken to elicit GI disturbances in cattle at TVCC, VCRI, Orathanadu during 2015-16. Animals with history of absence of feces and or empty rectum were selected for this study. In total twenty nine cattle were found to be affected with various GI disorders. The incidence of GI disturbances was more (65.52 %) in cross bred Jersey cow. The common clinical signs were absence of feces (65.52 %), anorexia (58.62 %), scant/tarry/mucous coated foul smelling feces (34.48 %), arched back (24.14 %) and abdominal distention (24.14 %). All selected 29 animals were subjected to abdominal ultrasonography which revealed peritonitis (31.03 %), paralytic ileus with peritonitis and pericarditis in each 10.34 %, uroabdomen, intussusceptions, caecal dilatation, abomasal dilatation and peritonitis with intussusceptions in each 6.90 % and diaphragmatic hernia, reticular abscess, omasal impaction and peritonitis with pericarditis in each 3.45 %. Based on this study, clinical and ultrasonographic examinations were found to be a useful tool for the diagnosis of GI disorders of cattle with empty rectum.