Type 5 Abomasal Ulcer Associated with Omental Bursitis in Dairy Cattle: A Retrospective Clinicopathological Study of 14 Cases.

Type 5 abomasal ulcer with omental bursitis carries a grave prognosis; definitive diagnosis usually requires post-mortem confirmation.

This retrospective clinicopathological study characterized type 5 abomasal ulcers (perforating ulcers contained within the omental bursa) associated with omental bursitis in 14 dairy cattle. The cohort comprised 11 females and 3 males with a mean age of 41.8 months; 72% of females were in late gestation or within 60 days postpartum, suggesting a periparturient predisposition. Clinical presentation was nonspecific, dominated by anorexia/hyporexia (100%), ruminal hypomotility or atony (92%), apathy (85%), and tachycardia (77%). Right flank fluid detection on ballottement (77%) with concurrent subtympanic-to-tympanic resonance (54%) were notable findings, while melena was uncommon (15%). All animals had concurrent conditions. Hematological findings included leukocytosis and hyperfibrinogenemia (each 60%), hypoproteinemia (86%), and hypoalbuminemia (100%), consistent with a severe inflammatory and protein-losing process. Ultrasonography identified peritonitis in 60% but confirmed the specific diagnosis in only one case (17%). Abdominocentesis demonstrated inflammatory changes in all sampled animals. Laparotomy confirmed omental bursitis antemortem in only one case. All 14 animals died or were euthanized; necropsy confirmed the diagnosis in 100%, revealing distension of the omental bursa with brownish fluid containing feed material and exudate, perforated abomasal ulcers, peritonitis (93%), and histological fibrinonecrotic abomasitis in all cases. The study underscores that type 5 abomasal ulcers associated with omental bursitis carry a grave prognosis, with clinical and laboratory findings being nonspecific and definitive antemortem diagnosis remaining challenging.

This summary was distilled by AI and may occasionally misinterpret data. Confirm critical details with the primary literature before clinical application.