Clinical, Haematological, Radiographic, Ultrasonographic and Surgical Findings in Bovine Affected with Traumatic Reticulo- peritonitis

Traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) is a frequently observed disorder in the forestomach of bovines, resulting from the ingestion of sharp metallic foreign bodies during feeding due to their indiscriminate eating habits. Under field conditions, distinguishing this disease from other forestomach disorders becomes challenging because of the overlapping clinical signs that are shared by them. The current study aimed to assess clinical, radiological, ultrasonographic, hematological and peritoneal fluid changes to facilitate accurate and early diagnosis along with suitable treatment.

A total 31 cases of TRP were recorded in the present study period from January 2023-December 2023. The affected animals underwent clinical, ferroscopic, radiographic, ultrasonographic, haematological and peritoneal fluid analysis for the diagnostic purpose which were later managed surgically by standing left laparorumenotomy.

Majority of the affected animals displayed bloat, congested conjunctival mucous membrane, fever, cachexia, grunting and refusal to sit down. Out of the total of 31 animals, 27 tested positive for ferroscopy and 22 animals had at least one visible metallic foreign body on radiographs in the reticulum. Ultrasonographic examination revealed distinctive findings, including an increase in reticular thickness, elevated peritoneal fluid levels and the presence of echogenic deposits. Changes in peritoneal fluid characteristics included alteration of color, elevated total protein levels (>2.5 g/dL) and increased total nucleated cell counts (cells/μL). Hematological analysis indicated that most affected animals showed leucocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphopenia, which returned to normal physiological ranges post-operatively.