Gastrointestinal — Bovine

A left-sided ping in the classic 9th to 13th rib area in a fresh cow is a left displaced abomasum, the most common displacement, driven by postpartum hypocalcemia, high-concentrate diets, and reduced rumen fill. Cecal dilatation and volvulus ping on the right. Hardware disease from a swallowed wire perforating the reticulum causes localized peritonitis with cranial abdominal pain, a positive withers pinch (grunt) test, and fever; management includes a magnet, antibiotics, and confinement. Chronic wasting with diarrhea, preserved appetite, and no fever in an adult cow is classic paratuberculosis (Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis), acquired as a calf with a years-long incubation. Salmonellosis and winter dysentery are acute. Legume pasture bloat is frothy bloat; the gas is trapped in stable foam that a tube cannot relieve. Antifoaming agents break the foam so gas can be eructated. Emergency rumenotomy or trocarization is reserved for animals in immediate danger.