ruminal and fecal material assessment SDL

Question 1

which side of the cow is the rumen on

Answer 1

left side

Question 2

the absorptive surface of the rumen are known as what

Answer 2

rumen papilla

Question 3

rumen papilla are used predominantly for what

Answer 3

absorbing volatile fatty acids

Question 4

the interior of the rumen is lined with which type of epithelium

Answer 4

stratified squamous

Question 5

the size and length of the ruminal papillae correspond to what factor

Answer 5

concentrations of volatile fatty acids in the rumen

Question 6

what does the rumen do

Answer 6

designed to digest cellulose which is from plant cell wallls.

Question 7

digestion of cellulose results in the production of what

Answer 7

volatile fatty acids

Question 8

what is the primary energy source of the ruminant

Answer 8

volatile fatty acids

Question 9

how does the rumen digest cellulose

Answer 9

needs to make the fod smaller as does not possess the enzyme needed to break down cellulose
- cudding ( food is eaten and chewed, swallowed then returned to the mouth for further chewing)
- muscle contractions of the rumen to mix
- large microbiome which posess the correct enzymes to break down plant material which produces volatile fatty acids

Question 10

which categories of organisms live in the rumen

Answer 10

• bacteria
• protozoa
• fungi
• archaea
• yeast

Question 11

what are bacteria doing in the rumen

Answer 11

• feeding on cellulose, lignin, starch, oil and protein
• responsible for breakdown and digestion of cellulose
• digest fibre, starch and proteins to synthesize vitamin B and K

Question 12

which volatile acids are produced in the rumen

Answer 12

• acetate
• propionate
• butyrate

Question 13

what do protozoa do in the rumen

Answer 13

• digest fibre, plant material, lipids, proteins
• synthesize long fatty acid chains
• the more fibre in the diet the more protozoa they have

Question 14

what do fungi do in the rumen

Answer 14

• assist in the absorption of fibrous feeds by increasing enzymatic breakdown of fibrous products and increase surface area
• secrete high levels of very active fibre-degrading enzymes including cellulases, hemicellulases, xylanases and glycosidases

Question 15

what do archaea do in the rumen

Answer 15

• produce methane
• methanogenesis is essential for rest of microbes to work efficiently as there would be too much hyrdogen if archaea did not exist to turn it into methane

Question 16

describe briefly where the digestive organs exist within the abdomen in ruminants

Answer 16

Question 17

how would you access the rumen for physical exam

Answer 17

left hand side in the left paralumbar fossa (below transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae) caudal to the 13th rib

Question 18

scoring rumen fill is important because

Answer 18

5 point scale where ideally cow will be a 3. 1-2 is not enough fill to rumen = not eating, 4-5 could indicate bloat

Question 19

palpation of the rumen in a normal animal will reveal what

Answer 19

this is done by pushing your hand in the flat position into the paralumbar fossa and feeling what the rumen feels like.
In the normal animal, the contents of the upper part of the rumen have a doughy consistency, but digital pressure should not leave a lasting impression once palpation ceases. In some diseases, the rumen can feel small (e.g. LDAs) or large (bloat) and the consistency can change, for example being harder in conditions such as milk fever and vagal indigestion.

you also want to feel strong contractions frequently (stron enough to oush your hand out of the paralumbar fossa.) should see 3 every 2 minutes

Question 20

what sort of sounds are normal to auscultate from the rumen

Answer 20

• place stethoscope on left paralumbar fossa and listen for rumen contractions

Question 21

what qualities do you assess in feces for rumen health

Answer 21

• volume (50 kg per day) so should always be feces present whenever examining a cow
• consistency: indicates whether ration is balanced or if able to digest efficiently (shouldnt look like horse poop)
• colour: brown/green depending on diet
• whole food pieces (after sieving) should not see whole barley, corn or forage particles longer than 1/2 inch long

Question 22

a cow fecal score of 1 is described as:

Answer 22

This manure is very liquid with the consistency of pea soup. The manure may actually “arc” from the cow. Excess protein or starch, too much mineral, or lack of fiber can lead to this score. Cows with diarrhea will be in this category.

Question 23

a feca score of 2 in cows is described as:

Answer 23

This manure appears runny and does not form a distinct pile. It will measure less than one inch in height and “splatters” when it hits the ground or concrete. Cows on lush pasture will commonly have this manure score. Low fiber or a lack of functional fiber can also lead to this manure score.

Question 24

a fecal score of 3 in cows is described as:

Answer 24

This is the optimal score! The manure has a porridge-like appearance, will stack up 1½ to 2 inches, has several concentric rings, a small depression or dimple in the middle, makes a plopping sound when it hits concrete floors, and it will stick to the toe of your shoe.

Question 25

a fecal score of 4 is described as:

Answer 25

The manure is thicker and stacks up over 2 inches. Dry cows and older heifers may have this type of manure (this may reflect that low quality forages are fed and/or a shortage of protein). Adding more grain or protein can lower this manure score.

Question 26

a fecal score of 5 is described as:

Answer 26

This manure appears as firm fecal balls. Feeding a straw-based diet or dehydration would contribute to this score. Cows with a digestive blockage may exhibit this score.

Question 27

what are the normal fecal scores for dairy cows throughout lactation

Answer 27

• fresh cows = 2-2.5
• early lactation = 2.5-3
• late lactation = 3-3.5
• far off dry cows = 3-4
• close up dry cows = 2.5-3.5

Question 28

discuss the process of rumenocentesis

Answer 28

• on left side 2-10 cm caudal to last rib and level with stifle
• lower site allows fluid collection without contamination from fibre layer (more likely to get liquid)
• give 5ml procaine under the skin
• clean site and insert 16g 4 inch needle to hub through anaesthetic bleb
• gently aspirate using 20 ml syringe

Question 29

assessment of ruminal fluid should reveal what

Answer 29

• colour: green-brown but can be milky or grey in acidosis
• smell: often pleasent
• pH 6-7. pH < 5.5 indicative subacute ruminal acidosis
• bacterial viability
• protazoa: microscopy activity

Question 30

where is the reticulum located

Answer 30

adjacent to the diaphragm, lungs, abomasum, rumen and liver
- in cranial abdomen situated on ventral abdominal wall left to midline

Question 31

what type of epithelium is in the reticulum

Answer 31

• stratified squamous epithelial cells

Question 32

what is the function of the reticulum

Answer 32

The main function of the reticulum is to collect smaller digesta particles and move them into the omasum, while the larger particles remain in the rumen for further digestion. The fluid contents of the reticulum play a role in particle separation. The separation takes place through biphasic contractions. In the first contraction there is sending large particles back into the rumen while the reticulo-omasal orifice allows the passage of finer particles. In the second contraction the reticulum contracts completely so the empty reticulum can refill with contents from the rumen. These contents are then sorted in the next biphasic contraction. The contractions occur in regular intervals. High density particles may settle into the honeycomb structures and can be found after death. Some ruminants, such as goats, also have monophasic contractions in addition to the biphasic contractions.

Question 33

discuss reticulorumen motility

Answer 33

A cycle of contractions occurs 1 to 3 times per minute. The highest frequency is seen during feeding, and the lowest when the animal is resting. Two types of contractions are identified:
1. primary contractions (A waves) originate in reticulum and pass caudally around the rumen invlves a wave of contractions followed by a wave of relaxation so as parts contract others relax
2. secondary (B waves) occur only in parts of the rumen and are susually associated with eructation (burp)

Question 34

explain regurgitation for cudding

Answer 34

initiated with a reticular contraction distict from primary contraction. this contraction in conjunction with relaxation of the distal esophageal sphincter allows a bolus of ingesta to enter the esophagus

Question 35

where is the omasum located

Answer 35

cranial abdomen on the ventral abdominal wall just to the right of the midline. it is covered by lessed omentum and is bilaterally flattened

Question 36

the omasum is lined by what type of epithelium

Answer 36

stratified squamous

Question 37

where is the abomassum located

Answer 37

sits on the ventral wall of the cranial abdomen to the right hand side of the midline.

Question 38

what type of epithelium lines the abomassum

Answer 38

columnar epithelium

Question 39

what is the function of the abomassum

Answer 39

digest protein from both feed and ruminal microbes

Question 40

an abnormal abomassum will show what signs on PE

Answer 40

a) Where does it displace to: It is generally recommended that clinical evaluation should be focused along a line drawn from the left elbow to the left tuber coxae, although it can be found much higher or lower than this. In general, clinical evaluation along this line from ribs 9 to 13 is the most rewarding.

b) The Ping: Highpitched resonant ‘pings’ (which sound like a basketball being bounced on a concrete floor or a steel drum being hit) may be detected by simultaneous percussion and auscultation over the region of the displaced abomasum. The position and size of the displaced abdomen is variable. Here is a video of how to percuss to elicit a ping: Ping Video In a normal animal, no ping should be heard.

c) The Splash: Characteristic sounds are produced by rising bubbles of gas and by the gas/fluid interface within the displaced abomasum. The musical tinkling sounds produced by escaping gas bubbles can sometimes be heard by simple auscultation using a stethoscope. Gentle ballottement of the abdomen using a clenched fist or by gentle rocking may evoke these sounds.

d) Potential Pitfalls: The resonance produced by the normal gas cap within the rumen can sometimes be confused with that produced by a left displaced abomasum. This can usually be discounted by passing a stomach tube into the rumen and decompressing any gas that may be present. The clinical evaluation is then repeated. A collapsed dorsal sac of the rumen can produce a ping with a lower pitch.

Question 41

and LDA is

Answer 41

left displaced abomassum
It occurs when the abomasum moves to the left of its normal position, becoming trapped between the rumen and the left abdominal wall. Stretching results in constriction of the entrance to and exit from the abomasum and it fills with gas

Question 42

how many rumen contractions should you auscultate per 2 minutes

Answer 42

2-3

Question 43

Which of the forestomach’s has a honeycomb internal structure?

Answer 43

reticulum

Question 44

Which abdominal organ is normally located in the ventral abdomen, to the right of the midline in the cranial abdomen in a sheep?

Answer 44

• omasum
• abomasum

Question 45

Where is the most likely position to elicit a ping from an LDA?

Answer 45

Along a line drawn from the left elbow to the left tuber coxae in the area from ribs 9 to 13 on the left handside

Question 46

Which is the most appropriate method of obtaining rumen fluid?

Answer 46

rumenocentesis

Question 47

What rumen fill score would a cow which has not been eating for a few days most likely have?

Answer 47

1-2