Ruminant Anatomy/Physiology-French

Question 1

What is the difference in the orientation of the abdominal organs in a newborn calf, 5 year old cow and a heavily pregnant cow?

Answer 1

Newborn: large abomasum
5 yr old: large rumen on L side pushing liver cranially
Heavily pregnant: uterus displaces rumen dorsally and abomasum cranially

Question 2

How many gallons of fluid can the rumen hold?

Answer 2

40-50 gallons

Question 3

What allows suckling calves to bypass the rumen?

Answer 3

The oesophageal groove- directs milk into the abomasum

Question 4

What should be done for a calf who never developed an oesophageal groove?

Answer 4

Start on grain diet earlier on to initiate development of the rumen

Question 5

What are the three main contents in the rumen that assist with breakdown of feed?

Answer 5

Bacteria: digest cellulose
Protozoa: controls bacterial population and can be seen with naked eye (light microscope)
Fungi: aids bacteria with cellulose digestion

Question 6

What is the purpose of auscultating the rumen?

Answer 6

Find the rate and strength of the rumen contractions

Question 7

What is the main job of the omasum?

Answer 7

Pull all the water from the rumen (“Hydration Center”)

Question 8

What portion of the forestomachs is the “true stomach”?

Answer 8

Abomasum- enzymes located here for digestion

Question 9

Atony

Answer 9

Complete absence of reticuloruminal motility
Direct depression of gastric center
Failure of vagal or motor pathways

Question 10

Hypomotility

Answer 10

Reduction in frequency or strength of primary contraction

Hypokalemia/Hypocalcemia

Question 11

What indicates the overall health of the ruminant?

Answer 11

Frequency of primary contractions

Question 12

What are strength of rumenal contractions determined by?

Answer 12

Observing movements and loudness of sounds

Question 13

What is involved in the secondary cycle of the reticuloruminal motility?

Answer 13

Imperative that the cow burps (eructation)

If the gas cap isn’t released it may indicate there is too much grain/fluid in rumen leading to bloat

Question 14

What is the process of rumination (cud chewing)?

Answer 14

Ingesta goes into rumen –> cow is signaled to regurgitate –> chew again and re-swallow.
Purpose of this is to get more saliva in rumen (contains bicarb) allowing the rumen to be neutralized

Question 15

What five components are taken into consideration when examining feces?

Answer 15

Amount
Color
Odor
Consistency
Degree of digestion

Question 16

What do large fibers vs. fine plant particles indicate in feces?

Answer 16

Large fibers: rapid turnover
Fine plant particles: prolonged rumen turnover
Numerous corn kernels: excessive grain consumption

Question 17

What are the two methods of rumen fluid collection?

Answer 17

Ororuminal collection- contaminants from saliva will be in sample, avoid if possible
Rumenocentesis: more accurate method for testing purposes due to lack of contamination (more sterile method)

Question 18

How long can chloride/ammonia concentrations be delayed in room temp vs. refrigerator?

Answer 18

Room temp: 9 hrs

Refrigerator: 24 hrs

Question 19

What is the most important rumen fluid exam?

Answer 19

Microscopical examination- look for protozoa

Question 20

What does color of rumen fluid of a cow on a hay diet vs. grain diet look like?

Answer 20

Hay: olive-brownish/green
Grain: yellowish brown

Question 21

What does the color of the rumen fluid look like if they have ruminal stasis vs. lactic acidosis?

Answer 21

Ruminal stasis: black/green

Lactic acidosis: milky gray/brown

Question 22

What does watery vs. frothy ruminal fluid imply?

Answer 22

Watery: anorexia
Frothy: frothy bloat or vagus indigestion

Question 23

What test is conducted on ruminal fluid to assess microfloral activity?

Answer 23

Sedimentation activity test

Question 24

How long should you wait to assess the rumen pH post-feeding?

Answer 24

2-4 hours after feeding concentrate
4-8 hours post feeding TMR

VERY ACIDIC post feed

Question 25

What is the normal rumen pH of a beef cow, dairy cow and lactic acidosis patient?

Answer 25

Beef cow: 6-7
Dairy: 5.5-6
Lactic acidosis: <5.5

Question 26

What test is performed to asses bacteria content?

Answer 26

Methylene blue reduction test

If takes >10 minutes to clear solution- inadequate bacteria and needs transfaunation

Question 27

What are each of these tests evaluating:
Cellulose digestion test
Glucose fermentation test
Nitrate reduction test

Answer 27

Cellulose digestion test: digestion of fibers
Glucose fermentation test: digestion of carbs
Nitrate reduction test: digestion of proteins

Question 28

What does elevated rumen chloride indicate?

Answer 28

Abomasal dz, abomasul refulx, obstruction of intestinal outflow

Question 29

What are the two most important components of rumen fluid to assess?

Answer 29

pH and protozoa

Question 30

What is the normal amount of protozoa that should be found in rumen fluid?

Answer 30

> 40 protozoa/field

Question 31

What is the difference in bloodwork changes for a RDA and LDA?

Answer 31

RDA: associated volvulus, metabolic acidosis and bloodwork changes
LDA: no associated volvulus, still functional, no bloodwork changes