Occurrence pattern of diaphragmatic hernia in bovines

Abstract

The present study was done with an objective to evaluate the occurrence pattern of diaphragmatic hernia in Bovines. All the bovines presented with and positive for diaphragmatic hernia (n=162) on radiography or ultrasonography were included in the study period of 15 months. The overall hospital and radiographic occurrence of diaphragmatic hernia in bovines was 2.22% and 11.96% respectively. The highest radiographic occurrence of DH was in the month of December (21.21%) followed by in February (20.41%) and the least was in September (0.89%).
The study included 159 buffaloes and 3 cows. Among buffaloes, 2 were males (1.26%) and the rest females. All the cows presented were females; 2 cows were of indigenous Sahiwal breed, and one was a Jersy cross bred. Most of the bovines (72.22%) were presented in a period of 8 to 30 days of appearance of clinical signs. The average age of bovines presented was 5.87±2.21 (2-14) years, body weight 391.39±69.72 (204-560) kg, Body condition score 1.69±0.67 (1-3.5), in-appetence in 96.30%, recurrent bloat in 67.29%, hard black scanty faeces in 85.80%, occasional coughing in 9.87% and mild brisket oedema in 4.94%. The 40.74% of bovines were non-pregnant (with 28.79% recently parturited) and 59.26% (with 38.64% in advance pregnancy) were in some stage of pregnancy.
The average heart rate of bovines was 72.08±16.31 (43-120) beats/min, respiration rate 22.52±11.31 (5-60)/minute and temperature 100.43±1.88 (95-106)°F. Most of the bovines (82.10%) were active and alert with pink mucous membrane (59.29%), one was presented recumbent and 17.28% were dull and depressed. The average haemoglobin in g% was 10.38±2.41 (3.5-17.4) with maximum bovines had haemoglobin between 10 to 12 g% (37.24%). Only 67% bovines had potential foreign bodies in cranial or caudal reticular regions on recumbent radiography.
In conclusion, the radiographic occurrence of diaphragmatic hernia in buffaloes is alarming; however, the cows and male buffaloes are rarely reported. The existence of DH in indigenous cows is reported. The young adult female buffaloes are maximum susceptible to the disease condition of diaphragmatic hernia. Reduced BCS and body weight due to chronic in appetence is characteristic of non-pregnant diaphragmatic hernia Bovines. Passage of hard scanty faeces and in-appetence was a characteristic of the condition, however, recurrent bloat, advance pregnancy and presence of potential foreign body on radiograph was not a characteristic feature of diaphragmatic hernia in bovines.