Lecture 22 3/25/25 Flashcards
What are the characteristics of rumen chloride measurement as a diagnostic tool for vagal indigestion?
-normal rumen chloride levels is < 30 mEq/L
-types 1 and 2 have normal chloride
-type 3 has chloride levels > 30 mEq/L due to Cl sequestration
Why is there elevated rumen chloride in type 3 vagal indigestion?
-abomasum is not functioning properly; HCl produced in abomasum cannot move into the small intestine for absorption
-HCl backs up into the rumen fluid rather than entering the bloodstream; leads to high rumen chloride and low blood chloride
What are the clin path findings in vagal indigestion?
-dehydration
-inflammatory leukogram
-lymphocytosis if patient has lymphoma
What is the most common metabolic derangement in adult cattle?
hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis
What are the characteristics of hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis?
-seen in mature, dehydrated bovids
-decreased GI motility and type 3 vagal indigestion can lead to low blood chloride
-body expands bicarb. production to make up for low blood Cl
Which conditions lead to development of acidosis rather than alkalosis?
-late stage strangulating lesions
-enteritis
-young animals
How is vagal indigestion treated?
*based on inciting cause
-relieve distention; kingman tube or rumenotomy
-prokinetic agents
-antibiotics if infectious cause
-restrict water
-good quality grass hay
-fistulation long-term
What are the characteristics of rumen putrefaction?
-abnormal accumulation of milk in rumen of calves
-milk becomes putrefied and promotes gram-pos. anaerobic overgrowth
-primary pathogen is Clostridium perfringens
How can milk get into the rumen?
-failure of esophageal-omasal groove
-abomasal reflux due to overfeeding or inflammation
-feeding milk to calves older than 4 months of age
What are the clinical signs of rumen putrefaction?
-mild bloat
-pot belly
-unthriftiness
-rough hair coat
-poor appetite
-signs associated with feedings
What are the findings on rumen fluid analysis in rumen putrefaction?
-alkaline pH (greater than 7)
-sour, rancid milk odor
What is the treatment for rumen putrefaction?
-siphon off the rumen
-oral antibiotics (PPG)
-transfaunation
-slow the rate of milk feeding; small, frequent meals
-wean
What is ruminal tympany?
accumulation of gas or froth in the rumen
What can cause free gas bloat?
-esophageal obstruction; something inside or outside esophagus blocks eructation
-ruminal motility dysfunction; poor rumen contraction prevents eructation
What can lead to rumen motility dysfunction?
-vagal indigestion
-traumatic reticuloperitonitis
-grain overload
What are the characteristics of frothy bloat?
-dietary factors promote production of small gas bubbles that cannot merge
-no ping when testing rumen
-must be treated as an emergency
What type of feed causes frothy bloat?
lush, high protein forage that is metabolized to produce viscous ruminal fluid; legumes are the primary culprit
What are the clinical signs of bloat?
-mild to severe bloat
-reduced appetite
-weight gain
-abdominal discomfort/colic
-respiratory distress
-sudden death
How is the pressure of bloat relieved with free gas bloat?
OG intubation
How is frothy bloat alleviated?
anti-foaming agents or surfactants, including:
-poloxalene
-docusate sodium
-laundry detergent in emergency cases
How is bloat ruminal tympany prevented?
-remove offending feed
-exercise
-supplemental grass hay
-poloxalene blocks, tubs, or top dress
-ionophores such as monensin that will select for microbiota that produce less gas
What are the characteristics of traumatic reticuloperitonitis/hardware disease?
-perforation of reticulorumen with an ingested sharp metal foreign body
-rhythmic contractions push object through the wall
-leakage of ruminal contents results in infection, fibrin deposition, and adhesion
What are the commonly affected sites in hardware disease?
-peritoneum
-pleura
-pericardial sac
What are the clinical signs of acute peritonitis in hardware disease?
-fever
-tachycardia
-abdominal pain
-bruxism/grinding teeth/clenching jaw
-toxemia
