Doing an exploratory laparotomy in cattle is easy, fast and inexpensive. There is less consequences if revealed to be unnecessary compared to other species. However, an unnecessary laparotomy could be harmful to a critical patient that could have beentreated medically. Before taking the decision to favour a surgical or medical approach, you need to gather information and approach the case in a logical manner (1) Review the possible causes of abdominal pain relevant to the particular case, (2) Recognize the indications for immediate surgery, (3) Is surgery an option (economics, facilities, surgical abilities) (4) Establish medical treatment prior to or during surgery, (5) If surgery is postponed, determine in advance a precise time and list criteriato be monitored help decision making, (6) Establish and present to the client a most realistic prognosis and cost estimate. A systematic approach based on adequate signalment and history, complete physical examination and judicious choice of ancillary tests represents the tools available to the clinicians.
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