Thoracocentesis for diagnosis of traumatic pericarditis and diaphragmatic hernia in cattle and buffaloes

Abstract EN

Traumatic pericarditis (TP) and diaphragmatic hernia (DH) are common thoracic affections of cattle and buffalo.

In dairy farms, thoracocentesis can be performed as an alternative field test for diagnosis of TP and DH where the availability of high output x-ray machines is limited.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the success rate of thoracocentesis for diagnosis of TP and DH at field situation in 29 animals.

Thoracopericardiocentesis (TPC) was performed at the left fifth intercostal space for diagnosis of TP while thoracoreticulocentesis (TRC) was applied at the right fifth intercostal space for diagnosis of DH.

The study was performed on 15 cattle and 2 buffaloes suffering from TP and 1 cattle and 11 buffaloes suffering from DH.

Diagnosis of these cases were confirmed by case history, clinical examination, and radiography.

An 18-gauge, 15 cm needle with a stylette was used for the test.

The TPC showed positive results in 94 % of animals suffering from TP while the TRC were positive in 67 % of DH cases.

thoracocentesis is easy technique to be performed, cost efficient, and may offered as an alternative diagnostic test for diagnosis of both TP and DH in cattle and buffaloes specially in field situation.