B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography of cranial epigastric vein in healthy and diseased cows and buffaloes

The study was aimed to examine the right cranial epigastric vein (CEV) using B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography in clinically healthy non-gravid cows (20) and buffaloes (20); bovines suffering from traumatic reticuloperitonitis (15 cows and 20 buffaloes) and reticulo-diaphragmatic hernia (5 cows and 15 buffaloes). The data was statistically analyzed and compared between and within the groups. The Doppler parameters of cranial epigastric vein in healthy bovines showed a significant species difference. The blood flow velocities, peak systole (PS), end diastole (ED), time average maximum (TA max) and time average mean (TA mean) were significantly higher in cows compared to buffaloes. However, the pulsatility index (PI), the resistive index (RI), vessel diameter and the depth of the vein were significantly higher in buffaloes compared to cows. The highest per cent change in the Doppler parameters of cranial epigastric vein in between the healthy cows and buffaloes were recorded in the PI followed by the RI. A significant decrease in PS, ED, TA max, TA mean and blood volume flow/min was recorded in cows suffering from traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) and reticulo-diaphragmatic hernia (RDH). The reduction was more in cows with RDH compared to TRP. The CEV was significantly more superficial in TRP affected cows. The PI of TRP affected cows and the TA mean of RDH affected cows recorded the highest per cent change compared to healthy cows. In buffaloes, only the PS was significantly increased in TRP affected buffaloes and those suffering from RDH. Significant species-specific differences exist in the blood flow parameters of healthy cows and buffaloes. Doppler blood flow parameters of diseased cows suffering from TRP and RDH was more significantly affected compared to that of buffaloes. The database generated for non-gravid crossbred Indian cows and buffaloes can be used as a reference range for further studies.