Abomasal ulcers in calves

Abomasum ulcer is a pathological condition with a loss of tissue that extends into the deep layers of the abomasum mucosa. Abomasum ulcers are encountered in cattle in almost every age, it is encountered especially in calves. According to the formation it is divided as primary and secondary abomasum ulcers. Pathologically it is divided as non-perforated ulcers, severe hemorrhage but non-perforated ulcers, perforated ulcers characterized by local peritonitis, and perforated ulcers characterized by diffuse peritonitis. In cattle with abomasum ulcer; digestive problems, melena, painful local peritonitis, acute generalized peritonitis associated with rapid death or only minimal abomasum hemorrhage with a chronic digestive problem is seen. Subclinical abomasum ulcers are usually appear in autopsy or animal slaughter. In calves with abomasum ulcer prognosis may deteriorate with occurence of bleeding and perforation. In this review, epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical findings, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment, prevention and prognosis of abomasum ulcers in calves is discussed