L1 - GI Rumen Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 4 regions of the ruminant stomach?

A
  • Rumen
  • Reticulum
  • Omasum
  • Abomasum
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2
Q

Describe the different GI characteristics in a newborn calf.

A

Large abomasum more important for milk digestion rather than fermentation

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3
Q

What differences do you see in GI of the 5-year-old cow?

A

The rumen is large and occupies the entire left side of the abdomen.
The liver is pushed cranially.

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4
Q

What changes in GI do you see in a 6 y/o heavily pregnant cow?

A

The uterus displaces the rumen dorsally and the abomasum cranially.

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5
Q

TRUE/FALSE:

the Esophageal groove allows suckling calves to bypass to the omasum.

A

FALSE

It bypasses to the ABOMASUM

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6
Q

When does the rumen become functional?

A

Once grain is introduced

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7
Q

What types of organisms are found within the rumen?

A
  • Bacteria (largest)
  • Protozoa
  • Fungi (smallest population)
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8
Q

What is the function of bacteria within the rumen?

A

Digest cellulose

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9
Q

What is the function of protozoa within the rumen?

A
  • Control the bacterial population

- You want to ensure that there is a diverse bacterial population (small, medium, large)

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10
Q

What is the function of fungi within the rumen?

A

Aid bacteria with cellulose digestion

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11
Q

TRUE/FALSE

The omasum lies on the medial aspect of the rumen and is responsible for absorption of water.

A

TRUE

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12
Q

What part of the GI secretes enzymes & HCl for digestion?

A

Abomasum

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13
Q

TRUE/FALSE

Disruptions with the abomasum may lead to metabolic changes.

A

TRUE

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14
Q

TRUE/FALSE

Dairy cattle fed with TMR and grass fed beef cattle have the same rumen composition.

A

FALSE

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15
Q

What when visually assessing your cattle, where should you start?

A

From the back.

Look at symmetry

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16
Q

What is the point of doing an external ruminal palpation?

A

Put pressure on each area in order to determine consistency and fill. You may be able to palpate distinct layers

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17
Q

What are the different rumen layers?

A

Top: Gas Cap
Middle: Fibrous Mat
Bottom: Liquid

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18
Q

What are you listening for on rumen auscultation?

A

Rate and strength of rumen contractions

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19
Q

_____ is associated with cud chewing.

A

Rumination

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20
Q

_____ is associated with suckling milk.

A

Esophageal groove closure

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21
Q

What are the different parts of the reticuloruminal motility cycle?

A

Primary or mixing cycle

Secondary or eructation cycle

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22
Q

What is atony?

A

Complete absence of reticuloruminal motility

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23
Q

What are the causes of atony?

A
  • Absence of excitatory inputs or increase in inhibitory inputs to the gastric centre of the hypothalamus
  • Direct depression of the gastric centre
  • Failure of the vagal (nerve lesion) or motor pathways (Hypocalcemia)
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24
Q

What pathologies may be seen with the primary/mixing cycle?

A
  • Atony

- Hypomotility

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25
Q

TRUE/FALSE

Frequency of 2˚ contractions indicates the overall health of the ruminant.

A

FALSE

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26
Q

____ is determined by observing movements and loudness of sound (Primary/mixing cycle)

A

Strength

27
Q

TRUE/FALSE

The 1˚ and 2˚ cycles are easily differentiated on auscultation.

A

FALSE

28
Q

What will cause the cardia to remain firmly shut during the 2˚/eructation cycle?

A

The cardia will remain firmly shut if foam or fluid is in contact.

29
Q

______ allows for further breakdown of food and addition of large quantities of saliva.

Bonus: What is the role of saliva during this process?

A

Rumination

Bonus: acts a buffer

30
Q

What is assessed during an internal luminal palpation?

A

The caudal aspect of the rumen is assessed for volume and consistency.

31
Q

What qualities of feces are examined?

A
  • Amount
  • Color
  • Odor
  • Consistency
  • Degree of Digestion
32
Q

What may cause ↓ amount of feces?

A

Functional obstruction or ↓ intake

33
Q

Color of feces is influenced by _____.

A

composition of diet

*may also reflect mean or undigested blood

34
Q

What does a strange odor of feces indicate?

A

Abnormal fermentation

35
Q

What is consistency of feces associated with?

A

Hydration status and transit time of ingesta

36
Q

When examining feces, what is indicated by each of the following:

  1. Large fibers
  2. Fine plant particles
  3. Numerous corn kernels
A
  1. rapid turnover
  2. Prolonged rumen turnover
  3. Excessive Grain consumption
37
Q

What are collection methods of rumen fluids?

A
  1. Ororuminal

2. Rumenocentesis (preferred)

38
Q

What are some precautions for rumen fluid examination?

A
  1. Samples should be evaluated directly after collection to minimize cooling and exposure on protozoal activity.
  2. Transport of luminal fluid for long distance must be done in double jacket container (No light and keeps cool).
  3. Estimation of chloride and ammonia concentrations can be delayed up to 9 hrs in room temp and up to 24 hrs in refrigerator.
39
Q

What physical characteristics of ruminal fluid are examined?

A
  • Color
  • Consistency
  • Odor
  • Sedimentation activity test
40
Q

What chemical characteristics of ruminal fluid are examined?

A
  • pH
  • Cellulose digestion test
  • Glucose fermentation test
  • Nitrate reduction test
  • Rumen fluid chloride
41
Q

What kind of microscope exams are done on ruminal fluid?

A

Quantitative

Qualitative

42
Q

What is the normal color of rumen fluid?

A
  • Depends on feed
  • Olive-brownish green (hay)
  • Yellowish brown color (grain/silage)
43
Q

Upon examination of rumen fluid, it is black/green. What is your top differential?

A

Ruminal Stasis

44
Q

Upon examination of rumen fluid, it is milky gray/brown. What is your top differential?

A

Lactic Acidosis

45
Q

What is the normal consistency of rumen fluid?

A

Slightly viscous

46
Q

Upon examination of rumen fluid, its consistency is like a water sample. What is your top differential?

A

Anorexia/rumen acidosis

47
Q

Upon examination of rumen fluid, it has excess froth. What is your top differential?

A

Frothy bloat

Vagus indigestion

48
Q

What is the normal odor of rumen fluid?

A

Aromatic?

49
Q

Upon examination of rumen fluid, it has an acidic odor. What is your top differential?

A

Lactic acidosis

50
Q

Upon examination of rumen fluid, it has a rotting odor. What is your top differential?

A

Rumen putrefaction

51
Q

What are the characteristics of rumen fluid of a cow with lactic acidosis?

A
  • Acidic Odor

- Milky gray/brown color

52
Q

What does the sedimentation activity test evaluate in rumen fluid?

A

Microfloral Activity

53
Q

You perform a sedimentation activity test on rumen fluid. Interpret the possible results:

  1. No sedimentation or floatation
  2. Very rapid sedimentation <3min
A
  1. Frothy bloat, vagus indigestion

2. Inactive micro flora (ruminal acidosis)

54
Q

When is the best time to measure pH of rumen fluid?

A

2-4 hrs after feeding concentrate or 4-8 hrs after offering TMR

55
Q

What is the expected pH for the following feed types?

  • Grass
  • TMR
A
  • Grass: 6-7 (more alkaline)

- TMR/Grain: 5.5-6

56
Q

You analyze rumen fluid with a pH <5.5. What is this indicative of?

A

pH <5.5 indicates lactic acidosis

57
Q

Match the test with chemical characteristic

  1. Anaerobic Fermentation
  2. Digestion of fibers
  3. Digestion of Carbohydrates
  4. Digestion of Protein

a. Glucose fermentation test
b. Methylene blue reduction test
c. Nitrate Reduction Test
d. Cellulose digestion test

A
  1. b
  2. d
  3. a
  4. c
58
Q

What is the normal level for rumen fluid chloride?

A

30 mEq/L

59
Q

What are your differentials for elevated Rumen Fluid chloride?

A
  • Abomasal Disease
  • Abomasal reflux
  • Obstruction of intestinal flow

*think abomasal problem since abomasum releases chloride

60
Q

What is being analyzed during a qualitative analysis of rumen fluid?

A

Motility of Protozoa >40x/field

61
Q

What is examined during a quantitative analysis of rumen fluid?

A

protozoal count/ml

62
Q

TRUE/FALSE

Diagnosis of omasum disorders is difficult and typically through a rule to dx.

A

TRUE

63
Q

What are some examinations that can be done during clinical assessment of the abomasum?

A
  • Percussion & Auscultation
  • Abdominocentesis
  • Blood work (metabolic changes can occur)

*think of where it is, how big it is, what kind of gas is there