Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

Clinical Examination of the Gastrointestinal System
Table 8.2 Classification of normal, transudative, modified transudative and exudative peritoneal fluid
Type Colour/volume Total protein (g/l) Specific gravity (g/cm 3 ) WBC ¥ 10 6 /l Differential WBC
Normal Amber, clear 1.018 25 >1.018 25 >1.018 >5000 Non-degenerate
turbid Clots PMN
Septic Pink to red, 28–58 >1.016 >5000 Degenerate
turbid Clots PMN
PMN, polymorphonuclear cells.
Liver biopsy
Prophylactic antibiosis and tetanus antitoxin should
be considered. Checking the prothrombin time
before proceeding may be a wise precaution.
The equipment required is 10% buffered formalin, a
Tru-cut biopsy trocar, local anaesthetic, scalpel blade,
syringe, needle, antiseptic and alcohol. The site of the
biopsy is 15 cm below the transverse processes in the
11th right intercostal space. The site is also defined
by imaginary lines from the wing of the ilium to the
point of the elbow and the point of the shoulder. The
site is the area of the 11th intercostal space enclosed
by these lines (Figs 8.25 and 8.26). The hair is clipped
and aseptically prepared. Local anaesthetic is infiltrated
subcutaneously and more deeply into the
intercostal mucles beneath. A stab incision is made
through the skin at this site. The biopsy needle is
pushed through the skin incision and aimed towards
the opposite elbow. The needle is then pushed into
the stroma of the liver. Ultrasonography can be used
to guide the placement of the biopsy needle. The passage
of the needle through the edge of the diaphragm
and the liver gives a slight grating sensation. A
biopsy is then taken and the needle withdrawn. The
sample can then be placed in 10% formal-saline for
histopathology, or the fresh sample can be used for
specific gravity tests and chemical analysis for lipid
content. Liver pathology such as fatty liver syndrome
and a fibrotic liver from ragwort poisoning
can be detected.
Bromosulphophthalein (BSP) and
propionate liver function tests
BSP function test
The performance of the BSP function test is contraindicated
if there is hypoalbuminaemia or high
bilirubin levels present. It is now rarely performed.
BSPis a dye that is injected intravenously as a bolus at
a dose rate of 2 mg/kg. A healthy control animal is
useful for comparison, although not essential in view
of current UK legislation. Blood samples should be
taken after 5, 10, 15, 30 and 45 minutes. In most normal
cattle the dye has been cleared from the blood
after 30 minutes. The half-life of the dye can be calculated.
In normal cattle the half-life is less than 5 minutes.
In cattle with liver dysfunction the dye is still
present after 45 minutes. At 30 minutes, the interpretation
of the liver dysfunction serum concentration
as a percentage of the dye concentration at the start
of the test is as follows: 5 to 10% mild, 10 to 25%
moderate and more than 25% severe.
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