Abomasitis in calves: A retrospective cohort study of 23 cases (2006‐2016). (14th February 2020) - Guarnieri, Eloi
Abstract: Background: Abomasitis is a syndrome affecting young milk‐fed calves. The current veterinary literature describes mainly its necropsy findings. Objectives: To describe the clinical presentation, complementary tests, treatments, and case‐fatality rate of calves with a clinical diagnosis of abomasitis and to identify potential factors associated with outcome. Methods: Observational retrospective cohort study (2006‐2016). Review of the medical records of calves <3 months of age presented with abdominal and abomasal distension for <7 days that were clinically diagnosed with abomasitis at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal. A follow‐up examination was conducted by telephone interview. Animals: Twenty‐three calves clinically diagnosed with abomasitis. Results: Median age of presentation was 3 days (range, 0‐62 days). The typical duration of the clinical course was <24 hours (15/23). On admission, the 2 most common clinical signs were anorexia (13/14) and positive succussion (13/14). Hyper‐l ‐lactatemia (15/16) and increased γ‐glutamyl‐transferase activity (13/14) were the most common laboratory abnormalities. Hypoproteinemia (19/22) and a left shift (15/18) of the neutrophils also were observed. The short‐term case‐fatality rate was 52% (12/23). The clinical diagnosis was confirmed on all necropsied calves. Clostridium spp. and Escherichia coli were the most frequently isolated bacteria. Based on univariate statistical analysis, the surviving calves were significantly ( P < .05) less hypothermic, less acidemic, less hyper‐l ‐lactatemic, and had lower serum creatinine concentrations on admission than did the deceased calves. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: In our study, abomasitis was associated with a guarded prognosis.