Which of the following is a physical examination finding in a case of traumatic reticuloperitonitis?

• A. Painful cranial abdomen (withers pinch test, percussion)
• B. Coughing and nasal discharge
• C. Diarrhea with melena
• D. Severe dehydration

Answer: (A)

Traumatic reticuloperitonitis typically causes irritation and inflammation in the cranial abdomen, so a key physical sign is pain localized to that area. The withers pinch test, where gentle pressure is applied to the withers and the animal’s reaction is observed, helps reveal this abdominal pain. If the animal reacts strongly or withdraws, it indicates visceral or abdominal tenderness consistent with reticulitis and peritonitis. Percussion of the cranial abdomen can also produce a painful response and, in many cases, reveals a characteristic left cranial abdominal ping due to gas distension in the reticulum.

This sign is more specific to TRP than the other options. Coughing and nasal discharge point toward respiratory disease, diarrhea with melena suggests a GI bleed or other enteric problem, and severe dehydration is a nonspecific finding that can accompany many conditions. The painful cranial abdomen detected by the withers pinch test and percussion directly reflects the localized abdominal pain from the reticulum–peritoneal irritation seen in TRP.