DOI 10.2478/v10181-011-0118-4 Original article Ultrasonography as a diagnostic and prognostic approach in cattle and buffaloes with fatty infiltration of the liver M. Tharwat Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia Permanent address: Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine whether ultrasonographic evaluation of the hepatic parenchyma could be used as a diagnostic and prognostic approach in cows and buffaloes with hepatic lipidosis. For this purpose, cows (n=16) and buffaloes (n=10) with fatty infiltration of the liver were examined by ultrasonography. Treated cows and buffaloes were monitored for hepatic changes ultra- sonographically, biochemically and histologically. Clinical findings were non-specific and included ano- rexia, recumbency, muzzle necrosis, and icteric mucosal membranes. Laboratory data revealed neu- trophilia, hyper γ-globulinemia, elevated activities of aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpep- tidase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, and high concentrations of insulin, total bilirubin, non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxyl butyric acid. Laboratory results 7, and 21 days after treatment showed progressive improvement in the chemistry profile. On admission, ultrasonographic examination of the hepatic parenchyma in cows and buffaloes revealed either increased or decreased hepatic echogenicity; histologic examination revealed marked fatty infiltration of the hepatocytes. One week after treatment, the hepatic parenchyma was visualized easily, liver boundaries were clearly imaged, and histologic examination of hepatic specimen showed a moderate degree of fatty infiltration. Three weeks after treatment, the hepatic parenchyma was almost similar to normal, the hepatic and portal blood vessels could be easily imaged, and the histologic picture had greatly improved where the liver resem- bled the normal organ. Six cows and seven buffaloes made a full recovery while the remaining ten cows and three buffaloes were slaughtered and thoroughly examined postmortem. Ultrasonography showed a good correlation with histologic and laboratory findings. Key words: cattle, buffaloes, fatty liver, diagnosis, prognosis, ultrasonography Correspondence to: M. Tharwat, e-mail: mohamedtharwat129@gmail.com Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences Vol. 15, No. 1 (2012), 83-93 Unauthenticated Download Date | 8/5/18 9:47 AM