Ultrasonography of the omasum in 30 Saanen goats. 2011

Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
Department of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. ubraun@vetclinics.uzh.ch

BACKGROUND Primary diseases of the omasum are uncommon in goats, although the omasum may be involved in various gastrointestinal disorders. Examination of the caprine omasum via ultrasonography requires a good understanding of the normal appearance of the organ. However, in contrast to cattle, there is a lack of reference information on this topic in goats. Thus, the goal of the present study was to describe the results of ultrasonography of the omasum in 30 healthy Saanen goats. RESULTS Ultrasonography was carried out in standing, non-sedated goats using a 5.0 MHz linear transducer. The location and size of the omasum, thickness of the omasal wall and visualisation of the abomasal laminae, contents and contractions were assessed. The omasum was visible from the 9th intercostal space (ICS) in all the goats, and from the 8th and 10th ICSs in 29 and 24 goats, respectively. The omasum was seen medial to the liver, but only the omasal wall closest to the transducer was visible. The dorsal omasal limit formed a dorsally convex curve running from cranioventral to caudodorsal and was furthest from the dorsal midline in the 6th ICS. The ventral omasal limit formed a ventrally convex curve. The size of the omasum was largest (10.2 ± 3.1 cm) in the 9th ICS and decreased cranially and caudally from this position. Active omasal motility was recorded in 20 goats with 0.3 to 2.0 contractions per minute. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study provide reference ranges for the interpretation of the location and size of the omasum in goats with suspected omasal abnormalities. Ultrasonography is an ideal diagnostic tool for evaluation of the omasum, which is not accessible to conventional examination techniques, such as inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009851 Omasum The third stomach of ruminants, situated on the right side of the abdomen at a higher level than the fourth stomach and between this latter and the second stomach, with both of which it communicates. From its inner surface project large numbers of leaves or folia, each of which possesses roughened surfaces. In the center of each folium is a band of muscle fibers which produces a rasping movement of the leaf when it contracts. One leaf rubs against those on either side of it, and large particles of food material are ground down between the rough surfaces, preparatory to further digestion in the succeeding parts of the alimentary canal. (Black's Veterinary Dictionary, 17th ed) Omasums
D005260 Female Females
D006041 Goats Any of numerous agile, hollow-horned RUMINANTS of the genus Capra, in the family Bovidae, closely related to the SHEEP. Capra,Capras,Goat
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014463 Ultrasonography The visualization of deep structures of the body by recording the reflections or echoes of ultrasonic pulses directed into the tissues. Use of ultrasound for imaging or diagnostic purposes employs frequencies ranging from 1.6 to 10 megahertz. Echography,Echotomography,Echotomography, Computer,Sonography, Medical,Tomography, Ultrasonic,Ultrasonic Diagnosis,Ultrasonic Imaging,Ultrasonographic Imaging,Computer Echotomography,Diagnosis, Ultrasonic,Diagnostic Ultrasound,Ultrasonic Tomography,Ultrasound Imaging,Diagnoses, Ultrasonic,Diagnostic Ultrasounds,Imaging, Ultrasonic,Imaging, Ultrasonographic,Imaging, Ultrasound,Imagings, Ultrasonographic,Imagings, Ultrasound,Medical Sonography,Ultrasonic Diagnoses,Ultrasonographic Imagings,Ultrasound, Diagnostic,Ultrasounds, Diagnostic

Related Publications

Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
July 2011, Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde,
Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
February 2012, Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde,
Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
September 1994, Journal of the South African Veterinary Association,
Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
September 2011, Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997),
Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
March 2021, Microscopy research and technique,
Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
March 1977, Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde,
Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
November 1971, Zentralblatt fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe A,
Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
January 1963, The Journal of heredity,
Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
May 1985, New Zealand veterinary journal,
Ueli Braun, and Désirée Jacquat
January 1964, The Journal of heredity,
Copied contents to your clipboard!