Biochemical indicators of dairy cows affected by fermentative digestive disorders

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate blood metabolites in dairy cows affected by digestive disorders of fermentative nature. Sixty-six animals with clinical and laboratory diagnoses were distributed into six groups according to the diagnosis: G1 (n=5) acute ruminal acidosis; G2 (n=10) displacement of the abomasum to the right (RDA); G3 (n=16) displacement of the abomasum to the left (LDA); G4 (n=10) cecal dilation; G5 (n=6) simple indigestion; and G6 (n=19) frothy bloat. Biochemical variables related to the energy, protein, enzymatic, mineral, and hormonal profile were measured soon after diagnosis and at the time of clinical resolution. The data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the level of significance set at 5%. Abnormalities were found with the fermentative digestive disorders, such as a negative energy balance (NEB), liver and muscle damage, and a high level of stress. Among the conditions diagnosed, abnormalities were more evident in acute ruminal acidosis, displacement of the abomasum (RDA), and cecal dilation. The biochemical abnormalities reflected the impact caused by the digestive disorders. Thus, understanding of the dynamics of biochemical abnormalities is fundamental to the establishment of the diagnosis, evaluation of the therapeutic response, and a more precise assessment of the prognosis, thereby avoiding greater economic losses in dairy farming activities and contributing to the improvement in the animal welfare.