Short Communication: Ultrasonographic Examination of the Abomasal Position in Dairy Cows During the Peripartal Period

Abstract

The objective of this study was to document the abomasal position during the peripartal period by ultrasonographic measurement to get more data about the topographic dynamic. In 12 dairy cows the abomasal position was measured daily from the 5(th) day before calving up to the 5(th) day after calving by a transabdominal ultrasonographic examination (5 MHz convex transducer). The abomasal position was described by means of 3 measured distances: (a) the distance between the cranial margin of the abomasum and the Aphoid cartilage, (b) the distance between the right margin of the abomasum and the median line and (c) the distance between the left margin of the abomasum and the median line. Prepartal the abomasal position was different from the position during the postpartal period. Its position was more cranially (p < 0.05) and more right laterally (p, < 0.05). The left margin was not detectable at the left side of the mid-line ante partum. Directly after calving the left margin of the abomasum was found left of the linea alba (p < 0.05). These results show that there is a great influence of the gravid uterus on the abomasal position. The abomasum is positioned more cranially and more right lateral during the end of pregnancy. This position changes immediately after calving.