Clinical, hematological and biochemical findings in bovines with primary abomasal impaction

The reported biochemical changes in primary abomasal impaction (PAI) have mainly focused on electrolytes; the changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and liver enzymes have not been evaluated particularly for adult buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The aim of this study was to describe the blood gas parameters, CRP, clinical, hematological, and biochemical characteristics of PAI in a prospective study. The study was conducted on 15 animals (nine buffaloes and six cows) diagnosed with PAI. The diagnosis was based on consistency of abomasum on laparo-rumenotomy and/or necropsy. The age of the animals was 2,5 to 10 years and had been ill for 4-15 days. The food composition was characterized by low quality fibres (wheat straw). Most frequent clinical signs were anorexia, reduced water intake, dullness, congested mucous membranes, dehydration, ruminal hypomotility, and scanty or absent feces with or without mucus. The hematological findings were neutrophilia, left shift and toxic neutrophils in most of the cases. The consistent biochemical changes were hypochloremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and increased levels of C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, globulin, triglycerides, glucose, urea, creatinine, lactate, magnesium and ruminal fluid chloride. Blood gas analysis revealed severe metabolic alkalosis with compensatory respiratory acidosis. Prognosis of the disease was poor. The degree of metabolic alkalosis, hypochloremia, hypokalemia and hyperlactatemia could be helpful in differentiating abomasal impaction from other abdominal disorders in bovines.