Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

CHAPTER 8
Calves with severe diarrhoea may be recumbent
and reluctant to stand (Fig. 8.19). Faecal staining
may be pronounced around the tail and perineum.
The calf may appear depressed with drooping ears.
The animal may have a gaunt, hunched up appearance
with a staring coat. It may have tenesmus and
void copious quantities of watery diarrhoea, the
character of which can be appreciated by observation.
Faeces may be absent in calves with atresia ani,
atresia coli, obstructions of the intestines and intestinal
ileus.
Signs of abdominal pain include kicking at the belly,
paddling of the feet, and teeth grinding. The animal
may be reluctant to stand or periodically get up and
down. With an intussusception the animal may
adopt a characteristic posture with the hind legs extended
backwards and the forelegs placed forwards
– the ‘rocking horse’ posture.
Physical examination
Palpation of the abdomen is possible in young calves
both in the standing position and in lateral recumbency.
It is extremely useful in trying to identify the
presence of abdominal pain, and tensing of the abdomen
on palpation can readily be appreciated. Although
it is often impossible to accurately identify
which part of the gut is distended, localisation of the
resentment or distension by gas can be informative.
Percussion/ballottement/succussion with auscultation of
the abdomen may indicate a tympanic gas and fluid filled
viscus such as ruminal bloat, abomasal bloat, a left
displaced abomasum, or intestinal obstruction or
torsion.
Left flank
Auscultation of the rumen at the left sublumbar fossa
may reveal some rumen activity in calves from 3 to 6
weeks of age before weaning. These movements are
indistinct in character. Deep palpation may reveal
the presence of hairballs or overfilling of the rumen
with fibre (Fig. 8.20). Atympanic area high on the left
flank may indicate a rumen free gas bloat (Fig. 8.21).
This condition can be confirmed by passing a stomach
tube into the rumen, which may also confirm the presence
of putrefying milk. Rumen fluid can usually be
Figure 8.20 A pot bellied calf with abnormal rumen fibre fill. Posterior view
showing distention of the right and left ventral quadrants of the abdomen.
obtained by passing a stomach tube. A low pH will
confirm a ruminal acidosis. The activity of the anaerobic
bacteria can be measured using the methylene
blue dye reduction test. In an anorexic calf or a calf
with a poorly adapted rumen the anaerobic bacterial
activity will be low. If a left dorsal quadrant tympany
is not relieved by stomach tube the distension is
likely to be caused by a left displaced abomasum.
Tinkling sounds and pings following percussion
and auscultation of the left abdominal wall are highly
suggestive of a left displaced abomasum. Visualisation
of the displaced abomasum is possible using
ultrasonography. Rolling the animal may or may not
relieve these sounds dependent upon the presence
of adhesions preventing anatomical correction. Confirmation
may be obtained by abomasocentesis
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