Peritoneal fluid analysis in the diagnosis of abdominal disorders in cattle: a retrospective study.

A retrospective study of bovine peritoneal fluids collected over a two year period was conducted. Of a total of 66 cattle studied, 31 had a nonseptic peritonitis, 11 acute bacterial peritonitis, eight ascites and 16 miscellaneous disorders such as abomasal impaction, enteritis and lymphosarcoma. Peritoneal fluid analysis was a useful aid in the diagnosis of abdominal disorders of cattle, especially as hematological changes were absent in many cases. Due to relatively low nucleated cell counts in bovine peritonitis, all parameters (i.e. nucleated cell count, total protein and differential cell counts) must be evaluated before interpretation. A nucleated cell count of greater than 6000 cells/muL and total protein content of greater than 3 g/dL was consistent with the diagnosis of peritoneal inflammation in 80% of the cases studied. An atlas of cell types common to bovine peritoneal fluid is presented.