Reticular diaphragmatic hernia in water buffalo: clinical characteristics, haematology, biochemical analytes, and prognostic indicators

• DOI: 10.1007/s00580-021-03251-y
• Publication Date: 2021-06-10T21:03:06Z
• Authors: Syed Ashaq Hussain; S. K. Uppal; S. K. Mahajan; N. K. Sood
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 0402 animal and dairy science; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; 3. Good health

This prospective study was conducted on 42 buffaloes diagnosed with reticular diaphragmatic hernia (RDH). The common clinical findings were depressed demeanor, chronic inappetance or anorexia, dehydration, recurrent or persistent tympany, scanty faeces, mushy rumen with normal or increased motility, tachypnea, abdominal distension, and gradual reduction in milk yield. The presence of reticular foreign bodies seemed to be the major predisposing factor. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly (p < 0.05) higher and lower than the control values. Total bilirubin, AST, BUN, creatinine glucose, lactate, and fibrinogen were significantly (p < 0.05) higher, and total protein, albumin, albumin-globulin ratio, triglycerides, fibrinogen ratio, sodium chloride, calcium, and phosphorus were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the control values. The haemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV), white blood count (WBC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), cholesterol, and magnesium did not differ significantly (p < 0.05) from control values. RDH can lead to vagal indigestion, and rumen motility will depend upon the stage of vagal indigestion and presence of the reticular adhesions. Out of 26 buffaloes that underwent laparorumenotomy and herniorrhaphy, 14 died within a week, three died after 3–4 weeks, nine recovered within 1–2 weeks, and survived upto full follow-up period of 2 years. The non-survivors had significantly (p < 0.05) higher age, number of calvings, WBC and neutrophil count, PCV, and GGT than the survivors. The hernial ring size ≥ 12.5 cm, with or without reticular adhesions, was associated with poor prognosis. Long time survival rate was 34.6%. It was concluded that the preoperative haematology and rumenotomy findings can be used to predict the prognosis of RDH in buffaloes.