Ruminant Anatomy/Physiology-French Flashcards
What is the difference in the orientation of the abdominal organs in a newborn calf, 5 year old cow and a heavily pregnant cow?
Newborn: large abomasum
5 yr old: large rumen on L side pushing liver cranially
Heavily pregnant: uterus displaces rumen dorsally and abomasum cranially
How many gallons of fluid can the rumen hold?
40-50 gallons
What allows suckling calves to bypass the rumen?
The oesophageal groove- directs milk into the abomasum
What should be done for a calf who never developed an oesophageal groove?
Start on grain diet earlier on to initiate development of the rumen
What are the three main contents in the rumen that assist with breakdown of feed?
Bacteria: digest cellulose
Protozoa: controls bacterial population and can be seen with naked eye (light microscope)
Fungi: aids bacteria with cellulose digestion
What is the purpose of auscultating the rumen?
Find the rate and strength of the rumen contractions
What is the main job of the omasum?
Pull all the water from the rumen (“Hydration Center”)
What portion of the forestomachs is the “true stomach”?
Abomasum- enzymes located here for digestion
Atony
Complete absence of reticuloruminal motility
Direct depression of gastric center
Failure of vagal or motor pathways
Hypomotility
Reduction in frequency or strength of primary contraction
Hypokalemia/Hypocalcemia
What indicates the overall health of the ruminant?
Frequency of primary contractions
What are strength of rumenal contractions determined by?
Observing movements and loudness of sounds
What is involved in the secondary cycle of the reticuloruminal motility?
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
What is the process of rumination (cud chewing)?
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
What five components are taken into consideration when examining feces?
Amount Color Odor Consistency Degree of digestion
What do large fibers vs. fine plant particles indicate in feces?
Large fibers: rapid turnover
Fine plant particles: prolonged rumen turnover
Numerous corn kernels: excessive grain consumption
What are the two methods of rumen fluid collection?
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)
How long can chloride/ammonia concentrations be delayed in room temp vs. refrigerator?
Room temp: 9 hrs
Refrigerator: 24 hrs
What is the most important rumen fluid exam?
Microscopical examination- look for protozoa
What does color of rumen fluid of a cow on a hay diet vs. grain diet look like?
Hay: olive-brownish/green
Grain: yellowish brown
What does the color of the rumen fluid look like if they have ruminal stasis vs. lactic acidosis?
Ruminal stasis: black/green
Lactic acidosis: milky gray/brown
What does watery vs. frothy ruminal fluid imply?
Watery: anorexia
Frothy: frothy bloat or vagus indigestion
What test is conducted on ruminal fluid to assess microfloral activity?
Sedimentation activity test
How long should you wait to assess the rumen pH post-feeding?
2-4 hours after feeding concentrate
4-8 hours post feeding TMR
VERY ACIDIC post feed
What is the normal rumen pH of a beef cow, dairy cow and lactic acidosis patient?
Beef cow: 6-7
Dairy: 5.5-6
Lactic acidosis: <5.5
What test is performed to asses bacteria content?
Methylene blue reduction test
If takes >10 minutes to clear solution- inadequate bacteria and needs transfaunation
What are each of these tests evaluating:
Cellulose digestion test
Glucose fermentation test
Nitrate reduction test
Cellulose digestion test: digestion of fibers
Glucose fermentation test: digestion of carbs
Nitrate reduction test: digestion of proteins
What does elevated rumen chloride indicate?
Abomasal dz, abomasul refulx, obstruction of intestinal outflow
What are the two most important components of rumen fluid to assess?
pH and protozoa
What is the normal amount of protozoa that should be found in rumen fluid?
> 40 protozoa/field
What is the difference in bloodwork changes for a RDA and LDA?
RDA: associated volvulus, metabolic acidosis and bloodwork changes
LDA: no associated volvulus, still functional, no bloodwork changes
