» Abdominal Topography
Similar to other quadrupeds, the diaphragm extends forward to about the fifth intercostal space or sixth rib, meaning that a good portion of the abdomen is under the cover of the rib cage.
Similar to the ruminant, a good portion of the left side of the abdomen is occupied by the stomach. The liver is entirely on the right side of the abdomen, deep to the diaphragm, extending from the last rib caudodorsally to the fifth or sixth rib cranioventrally. The spleen is located on the left side, caudal to the last rib. The small intestines occupy the right ventral portion of the abdomen, and the transition from ileum to colon is in a central location of the caudal abdomen, with the cecum pointing toward the pelvis. The spiral colon is in the caudal to ventrocaudal abdomen. The kidneys are relatively farther caudal than in most species, being ventral to the fourth to seventh lumbar transverse processes. The right kidney is more cranially placed than the left kidney, which is in the area of the wing of the ileum.Laparotomy can be performed from a lateral approach on either side, or a ventral approach. The particular structure of interest dictates the specific approach; dorsal structures such as the spleen, kidneys, and duodenum are more easily accessed through a lateral approach, but most abdominal viscera can be exteriorized through either a right paralumbar or a ventral midline approach. When making an incision in the lateral abdomen, the standard layers will be encountered, from superficial to deep: skin, thin subcutaneous layer, external abdominal oblique muscle, internal abdominal oblique muscle, transversus abdominis muscle, and peritoneum.