Jezie A. Acorda
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of the Philippines Los Baños
doi.org/10.57043/transnastphl.1999.5759
Abstract
Current diagnosis of liver disorders in cattle through clinical signs and biochemical analysis is not very accurate. In this study, evaluation of diffuse hepatocellular disorders in 226 Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle was conducted using ultrasonography and computerized analysis of ultrasonograms (digital analysis). Different echo patterns were distinguished, namely: bright pattern (BP), deep attenuation, vascular blurring and blurring of edges (BE) in fatty change of the liver; dark pattern and BE in hydropic degeneration; and BP in amyloidosis and hepatic dystrophy. In digital analysis of hepatic B-mode ultrasonograms, low echo means in hydropic degeneration, steep decline of echo means in fatty change, and high initial echo mean for hepatic dystrophy and amyloidosis were observed. The combination of ultrasonography and digital analysis provided a relatively more accurate method of diagnosis of diffuse hepatocellular disorders in dairy cattle