J Vet Sci.  2012 Dec;13(4):437-440.

Left abomasal displacement between the uterus and rumen during bovine twin pregnancy

• Pardon B
• Vertenten
• Cornillie
• Schauvliege S
• Gasthuys F
• van Loon G
• Deprez P

Abstract

Here, we describe two cases of left displaced abomasum (LDA) in Holstein cattle at 6 and 9 months of twin gestation. Clinical examination revealed signs of proximal ileus with marked abdominal distension, but no ping sounds. An unusually high position of the gravid uterine horn on the left side was observed with ultrasound. Left exploratory laparotomy confirmed that the abomasum was displaced to the left and entrapped between the rumen and twin gravid uterine horn. A left surgical approach was necessary to correct the condition. Both animals recovered and gave birth to healthy twins. The present cases indicate that the subomental position of a heavy twin gravid uterine horn is a possible mechanical cause of LDA.

Keyword

cattle; gestation; left displaced abomasum; twin pregnancy

MeSH Terms

Abomasum
Animals
Cattle
Displacement (Psychology)
Horns
Humans
Ileus
Laparotomy
Parturition
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Twin
Rumen
Twins
Uterus

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Schematic drawing (based on case 2) showing the topography of the abdominal organs in the presented cases with left displacement of the abomasum during twin pregnancy. (A) Caudal view of a cross-section at the level of the third lumbar vertebra showing the unusual subomental position of both pregnant uterine horns. (B) Left lateral view of a longitudinal section illustrating the gradual dorsal deviation of the rumen by the expanding uterus (arrow 1) leading to the left displacement of the abomasum (arrow 2) in the space between the reticulum and rumen below the ruminal atrium. (C) Caudal view of a cross-section at the level of the 12th intercostal space of case 2 taken at the moment of admittance to the clinic. (D) Left lateral view of a projection of the abdominal organs observed in case 2 during explorative laparotomy. Ao: aorta, CVC: caudal vena cava, DpD: descending part of the duodenum, Fib: fibrinous deposits, JeL: jenunal loops, LDA: left displaced abomasum, Li: liver, LLP: left longitudinal pillar of the rumen, LPU: left pregnant uterine horn, Om: omasum, PRA: pyloric region of the abomasum, Ret: reticulum, RK: right kidney, RPU: right pregnant uterine horn, Ru: rumen, SWO: superficial wall of the greater omentum, Xi: xiphoid (illustration by P. Cornillie, Ghent University, Belgium).

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