Clinico-biochemical, ultrasonographic and pathological findings of hepatic abscess in feedlot cattle and buffaloes

• Main Authors: A. M. Abdelaal, Shaimaa M. Gouda, M. Tharwat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Veterinary World 2014-05-01
• Series: Veterinary World
• Subjects: abscesses; buffaloes; feedlot cattle; histopathology; liver; ultrasonography.
• Online Access: http://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.7/May-2014/7.pdf

Background and aim: Liver abscesses in feedlot cattle have a major economic impact in the beef industry because of liver condemnation and reduced animal performance and carcass yield. The aim of this study was to document the clinico-pathological and ultrasonographic findings in cattle and buffaloes with hepatic abscess. Materials and Methods: Three male feedlot cattle and 5 buffaloes suffered from liver abscesses were investigated. Clinical, hemato-biochemical and Ultrasonographic were performed. Liver abscesses were confirmed through centesis and aspiration under ultrasonographic guidance which yield purulent material. Necropsy and histopathological studies were applied on 3 of them, where ultrasonographic diagnosis was confirmed. Results: Altered appetite, loss of body weight, dull demeanor and decreased ruminal motility were recorded in all eight animals. Systemic disturbance and feces abnormalities were appeared with variable degrees. Icterus and abdominal pain were observed only in one cattle. Leucocytosis, hypoalbuminaemia and hyperglobulinaemia were reported in all animals while liver enzymes were mildly elevated only in 3 cattle and one buffalo. Abscess appeared by ultrasonography as hypoechoic to echogenic circumscribed mass, pinpoint to 10 cm in diameter, with or without echogenic wall, located in the right lobe 7th to 12th intercostal spaces. Abscesses were located intra-hepatic in 7 (3 cattle and 4 buffaloes) animals and peri-hepatic (between liver and reticulum) in one buffalo. Conclusions: Ultrasonographic results were of considerable value for ante-mortem diagnosis of hepatic abscesses.