Hepatobiliary diseases in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings

Abstract

This study describes ultrasonographic observations of five hepatobiliary diseases in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Fifty buffalo, including 20 clinically normal and 30 hepatobiliary diseased buffalo were enrolled in the study. Complete clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations and laboratory analyses were conducted. Focal parenchymal lesions including liver abscess (n = 12) and hepatic cyst (n = 6), diffuse parenchymal lesion (hepatobiliary cirrhosis, n = 5) and obstruction of hepatobiliary passages including cholestasis (n = 4), and hepatocholelithiasis (n = 3) were successfully imaged by ultrasonography. Hepatic abscess imaged as a hypoechoic to echogenic circumscribed mass of various diameters with a distinct echogenic capsule. Hepatic cyst imaged as a pear-shaped sac with a bright echogenic margin, anechoic content, and distal acoustic enhancement. In hepatobiliary fibrosis, the liver showed linear bands of increasing echogenicity with less distinct imaging of the portal vasculature. Cholestasis was imaged as dilatation of the gallbladder (GB) with wall thickening and homogeneous or heterogeneous contents. Hepatocholelithiasis imaged as an echoic structure within the hepatic parenchyma, or within and around the GB and bile duct, with more echogenicity of the hepatic parenchyma than normal. Ultrasonography can be an efficient rapid, noninvasive tool for screening of common hepatobiliary diseases in buffalo under field conditions.

Differential diagnosis of bovine intestinal diseases and their sequelae regarding ultrasonography and other diagnostic tools

“…The SI peristaltic movement in case of complicated intestinal cases usually ceased. The reported ultrasonography findings of liver cirrhosis were similar to those reported by Braun et al [39] and Khalphallah et al [7]. Hence, the hepatic parenchyma was of a Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.14/June-2021/17.pdf heterogenous nature because it contained several heterogenic echogenic foci with reduced imaging of the hepatic and portal structures.…”

“…Preliminary diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders in ruminants is achievable by the usual diagnostic measures (e.g., visual inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation) [1][2][3]. However, a definitive diagnosis requires ultrasonography [4][5][6][7][8]. Intestinal obstruction (IO) is a potentially life-threatening disorder in all large animals, particularly in horses [9].…”

“…*Significant the values at ileus of SI group or that of caecal dilatation group compared with those at control group (*p<0.05). Reference values according to Khalphallah et al[1], Khalphallah et al[7], Morrow et al[31], Rosenberger[32], Radostits et al[33], Jackson and Cockcroft[34]…”

Clinical and ultrasonographic investigations of 30 water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with hepatomegaly

“…Ultrasonography was used for imaging of the normal structure of the liver and its vessels in cows [9] and ovine [10]. Furthermore, it was used for the diagnosis of several bovine liver diseases [11-18]. Hepatomegaly in buffaloes was diagnosed previously by ultrasound depending only on dilatation of vena cava and portal veins (PV) secondary to the right side heart failure [19].…”

Topographic laparoscopy for buffaloes in the quadruped position

“…The feasibility of laparoscopic access to perform liver biopsies is particularly relevant for the species studied here since liver diseases are prevalent in buffaloes [3,4,14] and often go unnoticed until they are observed in slaughterhouses causing economic losses to producers [4,14]. Furthermore, ultrasonography often cannot identify the lesion, whereas the degree of detail in terms of depth, color, presence of fibrin, aspect, and texture, which is possible with laparoscopy, would allow for a precise diagnosis.…”