Secondary type 1 abomasal ulcer in cattle and buffalo: A necropsy based case control study

Abstract

This prospective study describes the occurrence, morphology and localisation of type 1 abomasal ulcers (AU1) in various diseases of buffaloes and cattle. The carcasses were examined to confirm the cause of death. The abomasa were examined for AU1 and their characteristics. The AU1 were categorised into four subtypes, 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, as per standard procedure. Traumatic reticuloperitonitis/pericarditis, reticular diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal obstruction, peritonitis, bronchopneumonia and theileriosis were the common causes for AU1. The overall prevalence of AU1 was 62.9%, which did not differ significantly with species and age. The prevalence of acute ulcers (1a and 1b) was significantly higher than that of chronic ulcers (1c and 1d). Most AU1 were located in the caudal third of abomasal body on parietal surface along the greater curvature. Most of the 1a ulcers were located in the pylorus, while 1b, 1c and 1d were located in the abomasal body. The overall prevalence of AU1 was lower (P<0.05) in the fundus than in other anatomical regions of the abomasum. Type 1b ulcers were more numerous than other subtypes. It was concluded that AU1 may be an important cause of slow recovery/poor prognosis under clinical situations and hence, the therapy protocol for such cases should include treatment for probable gastrointestinal bleeding.