A left displaced abomasum in a calf due to a liver abscess

Darcy, a 4.5 month old red and white Holstein heifer, presented to Cornell University on April 11, 2009 with a 10 day history of inappetance and episodes of bloat. Problems on her physical examination included: tachycardia, dehydration, a distended left paralumbar fossa, bilateral ventral abdominal distention, fluid succussion on her left, and a left sided ping. Blood work showed a mature neutrophilia and slightly increased liver enzymes. Ultrasonography showed findings consistent with a left displaced abomasum and an intra-abdominal abscess. Surgery was elected for Darcy and she received antibiotics and a fluid bolus before surgery. Her surgery included body wall marsupialization of her intra-abdominal abscess and a midline abomasopexy. Additional antibiotics following surgery in the hospital and at home resolved Darcy's abscess. Marsupliazation and antibiotic therapy led to complete resolution of Darcy's abscess