COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF RETICULAR MORPHOMETRY BY ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN HEALTHY WITH RUMINAL INDIGESTION AND FOREIGN BODY SYNDROME AFFECTED BUFFALOES

Abstract

The ultrasonographic study was conducted to evaluate morphometry of reticulum in 32 clinical cases of buffaloes presented to Veterinary College, Bidar. They were divided into three groups, Group 1 (13) healthy buffaloes, Group 2 (13) buffaloes with ruminal indigestion and Group 3 (6) buffaloes with foreign body syndrome. Reticulum sonography was carried out without sedation in standing position at 6^th to 8^th intercostal space. To know the appearance, contour, motility, wall thickness and distance from abdominal wall to reticulum the four windows were approached. The reticulum is visible at frequency of 3.5 to 4.5 MHz, depth of 14 to 16 cm and gain of 130 to 160 in real time B-mode scanner. In Group 2 buffaloes the appearance of reticulum wall was half moon or crescent shape with smooth contour and significantly decreased reticular motility to 1.30±0.25/4 minutes. In Group 3, the appearance of the right lateral reticulum wall revealed irregular shape with uneven contour in 2 buffaloes. The right lateral reticular wall thickness was significantly increased to 0.95±0.13 cm. Reticular motility was significantly decreased to 1.17±0.15/4 minutes. Distance between abdominal wall to reticulum on right lateral examination was 7.09±1.24 cm. Among the forestomach reticulum is the motile organ so better diagnosed by ultrasonography than other imaging modalities. Pathological signs confirmed by ultrasonography scanning are presence of peritoneal fluid, movement of fibrin shreds, adhesions, abscess and hernia of reticulum in buffaloes affected with foreign body syndrome. In ruminal indigestion, nil to reduced reticular motility is the only important sonographic finding.