L03: Ruminant Gastro 1 (Sanchez) Flashcards
Components of ruminant PE
- external palp. of rumen fill, stratification
- auscultation of rumen contractions
- simultaneosu auscultation/percussion (“pinging”) of abd. bilaterall
- rectal exam
- tests for abd. pain: Grunt, withers pinch
- oral exam (last)
- observe for rumination
how does saliva influence pH sample of rumen?
-falsely increases pH of sample
diseases of forestomach in ruminants
indigestion free gas bloat frothy bloat traumatic reticuloperitonitis (Hardware Disease/TRP) vagal indigestion
normal rumen pH
6.5-7.5
components of rumen analysis
pH
wet mount of protozoa to assess population/motility
CS of SIMPLE indigestion
depression
diminished appetite
dec. rumen contractions
rumen distention
CS of SEVERE indigestion
sudden, dramatic change in attitude dec. appetite dec. milk prod. recumbency dehydration complete rumen stasis w/ gas cap
CS indigestion with lactic acidosis
anorexia dehydration inc. HR/RR recumbency complete GI stasis Bloat semi-coma/coma blindness
What happens to rumen flora when rumen pH drops?
microbial death (except S. bovis); contents become milky and have sour, fermented odor
consequence of switch from high forage/low concentrate diet to ingestion of grain
fermentation of strep bovis and lactobacillus acidophilus -> form. of D-lactate and L-lactate.
D-lactate –>
chemical rumenitis, osmotic influx of fluid
L-lactate –>
utilized by host
Dx of indigestion
Rumen fluid analysis Lab data: lactic acidosis: -high anion gap acidosis -dec. Ca/Mg -hemoconcentration (inc. PCV and Hb) -neutropenia and toxicity
Tx of simple/severe indigestion
-ruminotoric (promotes forestomach fermentation and motility): laxatives
-Calcium
-good quality forage
+/- transfaunation (transfer of ruminal fluid from another cow)
+/- thiamine (to dec. risk of getting neuro problems from vitamin B1 deficiency)
Tx of lactic acidosis indigestion
IV fluids Rumenotomy Transfaunation Ca/Mg Thiamine, NSAID Abx
Prognosis of indigestion
simple/severe: good
lactic acidosis: high mortality (30-90%) often w/n 48 hrs
indigestion sequelae
- fungal or bacterial rumenitis
- rumen necrosis
- peritonitis
- hepatic abscess
- vena cava thrombosis
prevention of indigestion
gradually introduce grains
lots of good roughage
free gas bloat
- eructation or rumen outflow failure
- recurrent prob. in animals on high grain diet
incidence of free gas bloat in calves <6 mo.
occurs after bronchopneumonia or as recurrent problem
CS of free gas bloat
- marked abd. distention (char. by L sided ping, large rumen gas cap)
- sudden death
- bloat line on necropsy (pale thoracic esophagus, congested cervical esophagus)
Tx of free gas bloat
- pass stomach tube to remove gas and admin. antacic-ruminotoric mixtures
- avoid trocharization if possible (can –> 2ary peritonitis)
- ID underlying problem (ie. rumen fistula in calves?)
Frothy bloat
Production of stable foam that traps gas due to ingestion of lush pasture (ie. legumes) that is high in chloroplast membrane fragments and soluble protein
-blocks cardia/esophageal sphincter and prevents eructation
CS of Frothy Bloat
same as free gas bloat except no ping
Tx of frothy bloat
1) anti-foaming agent: poloxalene, dioctyl sodium succinate, veggie oil
2) oral fluids
3) Ca (important for GI motility)
traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) most common during what life stages?
late preg, parturition
possible outcomes of TRP
Ingested objects:
- sit harmlessly
- small perforation –> local peritonitis
- large perforation –> generalized peritonitis
- perforate reticular wall and D
CS of acute TRP
- sudden drop milk prod.
- anorexia, lethargy
- dec. fecal output
- fever
- inc. HR/RR
- cranial abd pain
signs of cranial abd pain in cows
+ grunt or withers pinch test
abducted elbows, arched stance
CS of localized TRP
- variable focal abd. pain
- resolving anorexia/fever
CS of chronic TRP
- weight loss
- poor lactation
- rough hair coat
- vagal indigestion
Dx of TRP
-Hx/PE
-Lab data:
Acute: leukopenia
Chronic: leukocytosis, inc. fibrinogen/globulin
-peritoneal fluid analysis
-abd. U/S
-reticular rads
Tx of TRP
- stall confinement
- admin. magnet
- broad-spec. abx
- fluids, electrolytes, NSAIDs
Vagal indigestion
syndrome char. by disruption to forestomach emptying (ie. failure of omasal transport or abomasal emptying)
predisposing factors for vagal indigestion
- adhesions from TRP
- irritation of vagal n.
CS of vagal indigestion
- red. feed intake w/ normal water consumption
- dec. milk prod.
- bradycardia
- variable rumen sounds
- “Papple” shape
Dx of vagal indigestion
- Hx/PE
- Normal lab data in case of omasal transport failure
- Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis in case of abomasal transit disruption
- Rumen analysis
- U/S
- Rads (to look for TRP)
explain how vagal indigestion –> metabolic alkalosis**
1) HCl still produced in abomasum, but can’t go into duodenum so builds up.
2) fluid eventually backs up into rumen –> rumen pH increase
3) as part of countercurrent exchange, bicarb is absorbed into blood as HCl is made in abomasum –> metabolic alkalosis
Differentials of vagal indigestion
- indigestion
- bloat (gas or frothy)
- omasal or abomasal impaction and/or SI obstruction
- exploratory laparotomy
prog. of vagal indigestion
- extremely poor if assoc. with adhesion form. or neoplasia
- preg. animals usually improve after calving
types of abomasal displacement
LDA
RDA
RTA (right-sided displacement with volvulus)
LDA
abomasum lodges between rumen and L abd. wall
- results in partial pyloric obstruction
- most common in lactating dairy cattle soon after calving
predisposing factors for LDA
diet
hypoCa
genetics
concurrent illness
CS of LDA
dec. milk prod. L-sided ping dec. appetite altered feces distant rumen contractions
Dx of LDA
Hx L-sided ping Ketosis, aciduria HypoK/Ca \+/- Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis
Tx of LDA
- fluids (oral with Ca)
- sx correction (R paralumbar omentopexy)
- rolling
disadvantage of rolling LDA
can have recurrence, not commonly done
RDA
abomasum migrates dorsally on the right –> partial pyloric obstruction
Dx of RDA
R-sided ping
Lab findings similar to LDA
Tx of RDA
sx correction (R flank omentopexy)
Differentials of R-sided ping
RDA
Abomasal Volvulus
Cecal dilatation/volvulus
Gas in spiral colon, duodenum, rectum, uterus, rumen, or peritoneum
Abomasal Volvulus usually occurs in what direction?
counterclockwise, so that pylorus ends up near reticulum
CS of abomasal volvulus
more dramatic lethargy, dehydration, inc. HR/RR
Tx of abomasal volvulus
R flank omentopexy
R paramedian abomasopexy
fluid resuscitation
Prog. of abomasal volvulus
lower the outcome
AV sequelae
- atony/failure of abomasal emptying
- abomasal impaction
- vagal indigestion
2 main types of abomasal ulceration
non-perforated, perforated
T/F: typically bleeding ulcers don’t perf and perf ulcers don’t bleed
T
CS of abomasal ulceration
- similar to TRP (anorexia, fever, rumen stasis, focal abd. pain, bruxism)
- bleeding, non-perf ulcers: dark tarry feces, pale mm, rapid pulse, weakness, cool extremities
Dx of abomasal ulceration
Hx/PE Peritoneal tap Leukocytosis/leukopenia (peritonitis) Anemia, hypoproteinemia Ultrasound
Tx of abomasal ulceration
- high quality forage, no grain
- stall confine.
- abx.
- anti-acid drugs
- blood transfusion
- prog. poor if perf; good if bleeding but not perf.
