Rumen Atony Research Articles

Effects of Microplastics on Animal Health and Nutrition

Macro plastics are defined as plastics that are larger than 20 cm. Plastics that measure between 5-20 cm are referred to as mesoplastics, while those between 1-5 mm are known as large microplastics. Plastics that measure between 1-1000 μm are called small micro plastics, and those that are smaller than 1000 μm are referred to as nano-plastics. Microplastics are particles that result from the degradation of plastic products or are specifically produced in the form of small pieces. They are considered to be less than 5 μm in size. Micro plastics have come to the fore in re-cent years and are pollutants of major concern to the environment. Plastic materials are commonly used on farms, but they can have negative effects on farm animals. Ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats require cellulolytic micro-organisms for fiber digestion in their diet. The micro biota of the digestive system varies according to dietary habits. The digestive system and other organs can be adversely affected by sudden changes and damage to the micro biota. The ingestion of large plastic materials causes rumen complications such as rumen atony, indigestion and tympani in livestock. Ingested plastic fragments degrade in the digestive tract, increasing the number of small particles likely to be ingested. In a recent study, the presence of low-density micro plastics in sheep feces suggests that animals can ingest micro and macro plastics from their environment and feed. The increase in demand for the consumption of plastics worldwide is increasing the production of plastics. This situation causes the presence of micro plastics to increase rap-idly day by day. Even if the production of plastics decreases, the continuous degradation of plastic waste in the earth will continue the formation of micro plastics and cause environmental pollution. The effects of microplastics in our coun-try should be investigated by conducting detailed studies from the perspective of veterinary medicine.

Treatment of cows with rumen atony

Under certain conditions, the main source of energy in the diet of cattle can be concentrated feed, such as cake, meal and legumes. When there is an excess of them in the rumen, acidic metabolic products that block the reproduction of normal microflora are formed during the digestion process. Therefore, acidic silage and excess of concentrates in the diet contributes to the development of rumen acidosis. Rumen acidosis leads to a number of diseases, such as atony of the proventriculus, osteodystrophy, ketosis, hepatosis. All these pathologies are accompanied by a decrease in milk production. The purpose of this work was a comparative analysis of various treatment regimens for cow rumen acidosis. We conducted two series of experiments on cows with rumen acidosis. In the first series, we studied the effectiveness of oral administration of sodium acetate in doses of 0.4 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg and 0.6 g/kg body weight for rumen acidosis. In the second experiment, we studied the effectiveness of oral administration of calcium acetate in doses of 0.2 g/kg, 0.3 g/kg and 0.4 g/kg body weight. In the first experiment, it was found that the effectiveness of sodium acetate for rumen acidosis was almost identical for concentrations of 0.5 and 0.6 g/kg., a single use of sodium acetate led to recovery in 83.3% of cases. The average duration of restoration of rumen motility was 410 minutes. It was revealed that, in comparison with sodium acetate, calcium acetate is significantly more effective after 1-2 applications of calcium acetate at a dose of 0.3 g/kg. With oral administration of sodium acetate and calcium acetate in cows with acute rumen atony, it is possible to normalize the motor function of the rumen, rumen digestion in general, alkaline reserve, and glucose levels. The duration of the period to restore the rumen motility when using sodium acetate is six to eight hours, when using calcium acetate - two to three hours.

Clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings in 38 calves with type-4 abomasal ulcer

BackgroundType-4 abomasal ulcers (U4) are perforated ulcers causing diffuse peritonitis. This retrospective study describes the clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings in 38 calves with U4. The medical records of 38 calves aged three days to 20 weeks with U4 were scrutinised.ResultsThe most common clinical findings were poor general health (95%), reduced skin elasticity (95%), rumen atony (91%), abdominal guarding (76%) and positive percussion auscultation and/or swinging auscultation on the right side of the abdomen (75%). The most frequent laboratory findings were increased numbers of segmented neutrophils (87%), eosinopenia (87%), acidosis (84%), azotaemia (79%) and hyponatraemia (79%). The most frequent abdominal ultrasonographic findings were intestinal atony (68%), fluid (67%) and fibrin deposits (58%) in the abdomen. Thirty-five calves were euthanased and three calves died spontaneously. All calves underwent pathological examination. Diffuse peritonitis caused by a transmural abomasal ulcer was the principal diagnosis in all calves.ConclusionsPerforated abomasal ulcers cause severe illness, and a thorough clinical examination combined with ultrasonographic abdominal examination should lead to a tentative diagnosis.

Diagnostic reliability of clinical signs in cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and abomasal ulcers

BackgroundClinical signs of traumatic reticuloperitonitis and abomasal ulcer are often similar making the disorders difficult to differentiate. The goal of our study was to compare the frequency of individual clinical signs of cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and cows with abomasal ulcers and determine their diagnostic significance. The frequency of the findings “rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, demeanour, signs of colic, arched back, abdominal guarding, bruxism, scleral vessels, rumen motility, foreign body tests, percussion auscultation, swinging auscultation and faecal colour” of cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP, n = 503) and cows with type 1 (U1, n = 94), type 2 (U2, n = 145), type 3 (U3, n = 60), type 4 (U4, n = 87) and type 5 (U5, n = 14) abomasal ulcer were compared, and the reliability indices “diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values and positive likelihood ratio” were calculated. A total of 182 healthy cows served as controls (control group).ResultsNone of the cows in the control group had colic, rumen atony or melena, 99% had no abnormalities in demeanor and appetite and did not have a rectal temperature of ≤38.6 or > 40.0 °C, a heart rate > 100 bpm or a respiratory rate > 55 breaths per min, and 95% did not have an arched back or bruxism. The control group was therefore ideal for comparative purposes. Many signs such as mild increase in rectal temperature, scleral congestion and positive foreign body test were non-diagnostic because they occurred in healthy as well as in ill cows. Likewise, differentiation of cows with TRP and abomasal ulcer was not possible based on single clinical variables; a detailed history and a comprehensive assessment of all clinical findings were required for this.ConclusionsThe findings of the present study serve as a guide for the veterinarian in the differentiation of cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and abomasal ulcer.

Ultrasonographic documentation of type-3 abomasal ulcer in a cow with left displacement of the abomasum

BackgroundUltrasonographic documentation of perforated abomasal ulcer has not been published till now. This report describes the clinical, ultrasonographic and postmortem findings in a Jersey cow with type-3 abomasal ulcer and left displacement of the abomasum (LDA).Case reportThe main clinical findings were abnormal demeanour, rumen atony and tympany, positive foreign body tests, positive auscultation and simultaneous ballottement on the left side, abdominal guarding and loss of negative pressure in the abdominal cavity. The tentative diagnosis was peritonitis and LDA. Abdominal ultrasonography produced images typical of LDA, and in one location between the abdominal wall and abomasum there was a layer of fibrin, a fibrin clot, a break in the abomasal contour, suggestive of a perforated ulcer, and partial obstruction of this gap with fibrin. The diagnosis of perforated abomasal ulcer with subsequent peritonitis was confirmed during postmortem examination.ConclusionsThe examination of this case shows that under certain circumstances, ultrasonographic imaging of a perforated abomasal ulcer in a cow is possible. Antemortem diagnosis of type-3 abomasal ulcer is preferable to relying on exploratory laparotomy and/or post-mortem examination.

Clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings in 94 cows with type-1 abomasal ulcer.

This study included 94 cows aged 2.1 to 12.0 years (5.2± 2.05 years) that were examined at a referral clinic because of type-1 abomasal ulcer. The most common clinical findings were poor general health status (94%), partial or complete anorexia (93%), congested scleral vessels (89%), decreased skin surface temperature (76%), decreased or absent faecal output (72%), abdominal guarding (59%), tachypnoea (56%), rumen atony (53%) and positive percussion and simultaneous auscultation and/or ballottement and simultaneous auscultation on the right side (53%). The most common laboratory findings were hypokalaemia (68%), positive base excess (60%) and azotaemia (51%). The chloride concentration of rumen fluid was increased in 48% of the cows. The diagnosis of type-1 ulcer was made during laparotomy and/or postmortem examination. One or more concurrent diseases were diagnosed in 97% of the cows. Seventy-eight (83%) cows were euthanased immediately after the initial examination, during laparotomy or after unsuccessful treatment, and eight (8.5%) cows died, and all were examined postmortem. Eight (8.5%) cows were discharged and six of these made a complete recovery.

Type-5 abomasal ulcer and omental bursitis in 14 cows

BackgroundType-5 abomasal ulcer (U5) is a perforated ulcer that causes peritonitis limited to the omental bursa. This retrospective study describes the clinical and laboratory findings in 14 cattle with omental bursitis due to U5. The medical records of 14 cows aged 2.5 to 14.6 years (5.4 ± 3.1 years) with U5 were scrutinised.ResultsThe most common clinical findings were partial or complete anorexia (100%), abdominal guarding (100%), obtunded demeanour (93%), congested scleral vessels (79%), tachypnoea (71%), rumen atony (64%), diminished faecal output (64%), reduced skin surface temperature (64%) and fever (46%). Four (29%) cows had between one and four concomitant diseases. The most common abnormal laboratory findings were hypokalemia (71%), haemoconcentration (57%), metabolic acidosis (57%) and azotaemia (43%). All cows were euthanased; five immediately after the initial examination, one after exploratory laparotomy and eight after unsuccessful treatment. A diagnosis of U5 was made in all cows during postmortem examination.ConclusionsThere is a need for improvement of the antemortem diagnosis of U5 because reliable differentiation of this disease from other conditions with a similar clinical presentation is currently not feasible.

Clinical and laboratory findings, treatment and outcome in 145 cows with type-2 abomasal ulcer

This study involved 145 cows with type-2 abomasal ulcer. The most common clinical signs were, in decreasing order of frequency, depressed demeanour (100%), partial or complete anorexia (93%), rumen atony (91%), tachycardia (90%), dark or black manure (80%), prolonged capillary refill time (71%), pale mucous membranes (69%) and tachypnoea (62%). The most common abnormal laboratory findings were azotaemia (89%), low haematocrit (82%), hypokalaemia (81%), hypoproteinaemia (74%) and metabolic acidosis (61%). Ten cows were euthanased immediately after, or died during, the initial examination, and treatment was started (day 0) in 135 cows. Treatment included blood transfusion, sodium chloride/glucose solution, calcium borogluconate, vitamin C and metamizole. Fourteen cows also underwent right-flank laparotomy because of displaced abomasum (n = 7) or to rule out other causes of gastrointestinal haemorrhage (n = 7). The mean heart rate decreased significantly from 108 bpm on day 0 to 88 bpm on day 3. The haematocrit decreased significantly in cows that did not receive blood and increased significantly in the transfused cows during this period. The plasma protein concentration also increased significantly in transfused cows. Ninety-one (67%) of the 135 treated cows recovered and were discharged after a mean hospitalisation period of nine days, and 44 cows (33%) failed to respond to treatment and were euthanased or died. Aggressive treatment, which should include blood transfusion when indicated, is warranted in valuable cows because >50% can be expected to return to full production in the long term.

Minimized Bolus-Type Wireless Sensor Node with a Built-In Three-Axis Acceleration Meter for Monitoring a Cow's Rumen Conditions.

Monitoring rumen conditions in cows is important because a dysfunctional rumen system may cause death. Sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is a typical disease in cows, and is characterized by repeated periods of low ruminal pH. SARA is regarded as a trigger for rumen atony, rumenitis, and abomasal displacement, which may cause death. In previous studies, rumen conditions were evaluated by wireless sensor nodes with pH measurement capability. The primary advantage of the pH sensor is its ability to continuously measure ruminal pH. However, these sensor nodes have short lifetimes since they are limited by the finite volume of the internal liquid of the reference electrode. Mimicking rumen atony, we attempt to evaluate the rumen condition using wireless sensor nodes with three-axis accelerometers. The theoretical life span of such sensor nodes depends mainly on the transmission frequency of acceleration data and the size of the battery, and the proposed sensor nodes are 30.0 mm in diameter and 70.0 mm in length and have a life span of over 600 days. Using the sensor nodes, we compare the rumen motility of the force transducer measurement with the three-axis accelerometer data. As a result, we can detect discriminative movement of rumen atony.

Experimental poisoning by Enterolobium contortisiliquum in sheep

ABSTRACT: Ingestion of Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods causes digestive disturbances, secondary hepatogenous photosensitization and abortions in ruminants. Pods were administered to sheep via a ruminal cannula to characterize acute poisoning. In Experiment 1, a single dose of 12g/kg of body weight (BW) was administered to three sheep in one experiment. One sheep died, and the other two recovered after presenting clinical signs. In Experiment 2, 10g/kg BW were administered daily to 15 sheep until the onset of clinical signs or for three consecutive days. Fourteen sheep showed mild to severe signs after the ingestion of 1-3 doses. Two sheep died, and the others recovered. Clinical signs in both experiments were diarrhea, anorexia, rumen atony, apathy, dehydration and tachypnea. The main macroscopic findings were an orange, frothy ruminal content witch contained pods fragments. The intestinal content was liquid. Detachment of the mucosa from the submucosa and ballooning degeneration of mucosal cells were observed histologically in the forestomachs. Evaluation of ruminal contents revealed acute lactic ruminal acidosis (ALRA). Bromatological analysis of E. contortisiliquum pods revealed 537.8g/kg DM (dry matter) of non-fibrous carbohydrates, which is sufficient to cause ALRA. Only one sheep in Experiment 2 had liver failure, characterized by jaundice, elevated serum activity of liver enzymes and histological lesions in liver biopsies. It is concluded that the administration of E. contortisiliquum pods in forage-fed sheep at doses of 10g/kg BW or higher may cause ALRA. The induction of liver failure in one sheep suggests that liver damage may occur in those sheep that do not develop acidosis.

Bovine intestinal obstruction: blood gas analysis, serum C-reactive protein and clinical, haematological and biochemical alterations

The present study was conducted on six cattle and two buffaloes with intestinal obstruction. Four cases had intestinal volvulus, three had intussusception and one case could have been volvulus or torsion. The haemato-biochemical parameters of these eight animals were studied, together with 10 healthy cows and 10 buffaloes as control. Rectal examination was helpful in subjective assessment of volvulus and intussusception but could not help in definitive diagnosis. Multiple dilated intestinal loops in pelvic cavity could be a diagnostic feature of intestinal volvulus. Complete anorexia, colic, loss of defecation, rumen atony, dehydration, tachycardia and tachypenia were the most pronounced clinical symptoms. The animals with intestinal obstruction had significantly higher packed cell volume, neutrophil count and significantly lower lymphocytic count. Reversal of neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio and moderate to marked left shift along with moderate to severe toxic changes in the neutrophils was a consistent finding. Serum biochemical analysis showed significant increase of aspartate aminotrasferase, fibrinogen, lactate and C-reactive protein levels and significant reduction in albumin, fibrinogen ratio, potassium, chloride, calcium and phosphorus levels. However, fibrinogen and fibrinogen ratio may be misleading and need to be interpreted cautiously.The rumen chloride level was increased. Peritoneal fluid changes were consistent with septic peritonitis, increased specific gravity, total protein, total cell count and number of neutrophils. Blood gas analysis revealed hypochloremic hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis with compensatory respiratory acidosis. So these biochemical changes should be taken into consideration while dealing with intestinal obstruction in cattle and buffaloes.

Toxic effects seen in a herd of beef cattle following exposure to ash residues contaminated by lead and mercury

Lead poisoning was diagnosed in three cattle along with increased mercury levels in the liver and kidney tissues of two of these animals. The clinical signs were different in each case and included salivation, anorexia, delayed menace response, delayed withdrawal reflex, head pressing, localized muscle fasciculation, reduced tongue tone, ataxia, rumen atony and seizures. Blood lead concentration was increased in all three cases to 0.76, 0.37 and 0.454 ppm. Post mortem changes characteristic of lead poisoning were only recognized in one case and included cerebro-cortical oedema, cortical neuronal necrosis and endothelial proliferation, especially at the tips of the cerebral gyri. The animals were poisoned by ingestion of lead-contaminated ash residues from a bonfire. The abnormal levels of mercury in the liver and kidney tissues of two animals may also be at least partly attributable to the intake of the metal in the ash residues. The levels of mercury in the three samples from the ash residue were relatively low (1.31, 0.7 and 2.1 ppm).

Lasalocid toxicity in cattle: acute clinicopathological changes.

Thirty-six steers (148 to 500 kg) divided into six equal groups were used in a toxic syndrome study of lasalocid and monensin given as a single oral dose. One group was given a placebo, a second group received monensin (25 mg/kg body weight) and the other four groups received lasalocid at 1, 10, 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight (bw). No toxic signs developed in cattle given placebo or lasalocid at 1 or 10 mg/kg bw dose. The earliest toxic signs were muscle tremors, tachycardia and rumen atony. After 24 h, the cattle were dehydrated, anorectic and had diarrhea. Deaths occurred between d 1 and 22.5 in the groups receiving lasalocid at 50 and 100 mg/kg bw and monensin. Altered values in blood leucocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea nitrogen, total bilirubin, creatine kinase, lactic dehydrogenase, calcium, chloride and inorganic phosphate occurred 1 d after dosing: urine pH and specific gravity also changed 1 d after dosing. Maximum changes occurred at d 3. Most of the changes were indicative of dehydration rather than specific organ damage.

Current aspects of the primary insufficiency of the motor functions of the reticulum and rumen

Until the middle of this century the diagnosis “hypotony” or “atony” of the rumen was one of the most frequent diagnoses in veterinary practice. Rumen atony was considered as a primary disease and its removal was considered as the definitive therapeutic task. Subsequently it has been demonstrated that a great number of digestive disorders as well as other organic or general diseases can inhibit reticulo-ruminal motility. On the basis of our present knowledge the following disorders of the rumen and reticulum can be coordinated to the definition (term) Indigestion. At first primary and secondary indigestions have to be distinguished. The primary indigestions can be subgrouped into motor dysfunctions and disorders of the microbial-biochemical digestion. The primary disorders of the motor functions of the rumen and reticulum can be differentiated presently. Today the question arises whether a primary, a genuine ruminal stasis, really exists or at least whether conditions exist in which the inhibition of the motility of the forestomachs can be considered as the definitive finding.

Factors affecting the voluntary intake of food by sheep. 3. The effect of intravenous infusions of gastrin, cholecystokinin and secretin on motility of the reticulo-rumen and intake.

1. Sheep given ground and pelleted lucerne hay (Medicago sativa) ad lib. were infused intravenously with pentagastrin, secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK) and its analogues to assess their effects on motility of the reticulo-rumen and on food intake. In the latter experiments the animals were deprived of their diet for periods of up to 6 h to induce hunger and the infusions were made before and during 3-10 min periods of feeding. 2. Pentagastrin, and analogue of gastrin, depressed intake by 35-50% (P less than 0.05) when it was infused at 9 microgram/kg per h during 30 min of feeding. The threshold may however be below 1 microgram/kg per h as this dose decreased intake of 12-17%. The frequency of reticular contractions decreased by 13, 35, 39 and 44% when 1, 3, 9, and 27 microgram pentagastrin/kg per h respectively was infused (P less than 0.025). 3. Secretin depressed food intake 38% after 30 min (P less than 0.025) when 8 Clinical Units (CU)/kg per h was infused but the threshold could be less than this dose since 0.5 CU/kg per h depressed intake by 12%. Contraction amplitude but not frequency decreased at 8 CU/kg per h. 4. CCK produced a 39% decrease in intake during the first 10 min of feeding (P less than 0.05) and the threshold was between 5 and 15 Ivy Dog Units (IDU) or 425 and 1276 pmol/kg per h. The frequency of reticular contractions was not affected by 1.7 IDU/kg per h but it was depressed 21 and 63% by 5 and 15 IDU/kg per h. Octapeptide at 1.5 and 3 microgram (1312 and 2624 pmol) kg per h depressed intake by 11 and 43% respectively after 10 min (not significant) and 1.5 microgram/kg per h depressed motility by 39% (P less than 0.01). Ceruletide at 810 ng (599 pmol)/kg per h depressed intake by 31% (not significant) after 10 min and decreased motility by 52% (P less than 0.05). The threshold dose for ceruletide on intake appeared to be about 90 ng or 66 pmol/kg per h which is considerably less than that for CCK or octapeptide. 5. The biological significance of gastrointestinal hormones as signals of satiety in normal sheep is not known since doses of pentagastrin and CCK that suppressed intake also interfered quite markedly with motility. However there is good reason to suspect that elevated concentrations of gastrin and CCK in blood of parasitized sheep may account at least in part for their symptoms of rumen atony and reduced food intakes.

Livestock poisoning from oil field wastes

Clinical signs in a herd that has been known to ingest crude oil, condensate and other petroleum hydrocarbons varies from sudden death to no observable effects. Onset of clinical signs encountered are petroleum smell on the breath, hyperesthesia, hypoesthesia, anesthetic like depression, mydriasis, ptyalism, epiphora, muscle tremors, head tremors, ataxia, tonic-clonic convulsive seizures, hypothermia and hyperthermia. Gastrointestinal signs include vomiting, bloat, rumen atony and abomasal displacement. Inhalation pneumonia is reported as a common sequela to ingestion of petroleum hydrocarbons. Fluid feces with a petroleum smell, diarrhea, constipation and hard oily feces have all been observed. Cardiopulmonary signs of tachycardia, hyperpnea, dyspnea, and moist rales have been observed. Ketonemia, ketonuria, albuminuria, leukopenia, eosinophilia, hypomagnesemia, and elevated serum glucose have been documented.

Comparative Efficacy of Oxytetracycline and a Dithiosemicarbazone in Eliminating Anaplasma marginale Infection in Splenectomized Calves

Comparisons between oxytetracycline and a dithiosemicarbazone (356C61) were made in 11 splenectomized, Anaplasma marginale infected calves. Oxytetracycline was administered at the rate of 11 mg./kg. intravenously (i.v.) for 5 and 10 consecutive days. Compound 356C61 was administered at the rate of 5 mg./kg. i.v. for 5 and 10 consecutive days. Compound 356C61 appeared to be relatively more effective in the treatment of anaplasmosis, as indicated by the relative increase in packed cell volume (PCV) following treatment, and by the apparent elimination of the carrier status in animals receiving the 10 daily treatments. Compound 356C61 administered daily for 10 consecutive days resulted in rumen atony, tympanites and death.

The Use of Dehydrated Forages in Dairy Cattle Rations. I. Grain Substitution with Finely Ground Material

Summary Twenty high producing dairy cows were divided into four experimental groups consisting of three Holsteins, one Jersey and one Guernsey per group. Three rates of grain replacement (15, 30 and 45 per cent) with a commercially dehydrated grass-legume mixture were studied a total of 28 wk., using 6-wk. experimental periods and 1 wk. for transition for each group of cows for each ration. The following results were observed: (a) Cows, when fed the control ration, gained an average of 25.7 lb. in body weight per cow per period, as compared with 16.8, 18.6 and 8.5 lb. when they had 15, 30 and 45 per cent, respectively, of their grain replaced with dehydrated grass. (b) A digestion trial with three sheep showed that the commercially dehydrated material used contained 66.8 per cent total digestible nutrients on an air-dry basis. (c) Cows fed the control ration produced an average of 36.8 lb. of 4 per cent fat-corrected milk daily, compared with 35.5, 35.3 and 35.7 lb. when they had 15, 30 and 45 per cent of their ration replaced with dehydrated grass, respectively. This difference in production in favor of the control ration was statistically significant. (d) The finely ground physical state of the dehydrated grass-legume mixture was undesirable, since cows having 30 and 45 per cent of their grain replaced showed varying degrees of rumen atony and anorexia. This condition was not observed when the cows were on the control and 15 per cent rations. (e) Cows receiving no dehydrated grass required less total digestible nutrients for maintenance and production of 100 lb. of 4 per cent fat-corrected milk than when they received dehydrated grass. (f) The rate of decline in milk yield was less rapid when the cows were fed the control ration, but these mean differences only approached significance.