Ruminant Anatomy And Physio + Ruminal disorders Flashcards
How does the anatomy of the stomach differ between newborn and adult cows?
Newborn — large abomasum for milk digestion
Adult — rumen is large and occupies entire left side; liver is pushed cranially
In calves, the ______________ groove allows milk to bypass the rumen into the abomasum
Oesophageal groove
How can we assess the bacterial population in the rumen?
Microscopically - protozoa population
When doing an external ruminal palpation, what are the normal layers you can feel?
Free gas
Fibrous mat
Fluid
What occurs during the primary mixing cycle of the rumen?
Contraction of the dorsal and ventral sacs moving contents caudally
Contraction of the caudal sacs moving material cranially
What are causes of atony in the rumen?
Absence of excitatory input or increased inhibitory input signal to hypothalamus
Direct depression of gastric center
Failure of vagal or motor pathways (lesions or hypocalcemia)
What are causes of hypomotility of the rumen?
Reduced excitatory drive to the gastric center
Increased inhibition
Weakness of motor pathways (hypocalcemia/hypokalemia)
What is the normal number of rumen contractions you should auscultation?
1-2 rumen contractions / min
What is the secondary cycle of recticuloruminal motility?
Gas layer sits dorsal in rumen. As gas expands, it extends down to cardia causing eructation
Cardia remains closed when in contact with fluid or foam
What are you looking at when examining feces?
Amount Colour Odor Consistency Degree of digestion
You take a ruminal fluid sample and it appears watery. What does this indicate?
Anorexia
You take a ruminal fluid sample and it appears very frothy. What would this indicated?
Bloat or vagus indigestion
From ruminocentesis, the fluid smells acidic. What does this indicate?
Lactic acidosis
You take a ruminal fluid sample and it smells rotten, what does this indicate?
Rumen putrefaction
What is the normal colour of rumen fluid?
Olive-brownish green — hay
Yellowish brown — grain or sialate
What is the colour of ruminal fluid in a cow with lactic acidosis ?
Milky gray/brown
Black/green coloured rumen fluid indicates?
Rumen stasis
What is the normal pH of the rumen (beef vs dairy)?
Beef (grass fed): 6-7
Dairy (TMR): 5.5 - 6
Best measured 2-4hrs after feeding concentrate or 4-8hrs after TMR
What test measures anaerobic fermentation of ruminal fluid?
Methylene blue reduction test
10ml of rumen fluid to 0.5ml of 0.03% solution
Normal clearance is 2-6mins
Abnormal >10mins
What procedure is indicated if the methylene blue reduction test is >10mins for clearance?
Transfaunation
What is normal level of rumen chloride? What does an elevated level indicate?
30mEq/L
Abomasal disease
Abomasal reflux
Obstruction of intestinal flow
What test can you do to determine microflora activity?
Glucose fermentation test
Normal microflora = 1-2ml gas/hr
Inactive flora = little or no gas production
What type of bloat is caused by esophageal or ruminal motility dysfunction?
Free gas bloat