Rumen Impaction in Cattle

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Questions and Answers

What is a common sign of dietary abomasal impaction in cattle?

Subnormal body temperature during hot weather

Increased body temperature

Increased appetite

Normal body temperature (correct)

What is the typical characteristic of the rumen in cattle with dietary abomasal impaction?

It is active and contains excess fluid

It is static and distended with dry contents (correct)

It is inflamed and contains blood

It is empty and dry

What is the typical location of the impacted abomasum in cattle?

Middle of the abdomen

Near the diaphragm

Left upper quadrant of the abdomen

Right lower quadrant on the floor of the abdomen (correct)

What is a common complication of dietary abomasal impaction in cattle?

Acute, diffuse peritonitis and shock Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the omasum in cattle with dietary abomasal impaction?

It is enlarged and impacted with dry rumen-like contents Signup and view all the answers

What is a common laboratory finding in cattle with dietary abomasal impaction?

Metabolic alkalosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical duration of illness before death in cattle with dietary abomasal impaction?

3-6 days Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the feces in cattle with sand impaction?

It contains sand Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of rumen impaction?

Accumulation of indigestible materials Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of indigestible foreign bodies on the nutrition and health of cattle?

It disrupts beneficial and necessary biological systems Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of rumen impaction cases observed in adult cattle?

91.02% Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical sign of rumen impaction?

Absence of rumination and reduced ruminal motility Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of rumen impaction on the haemoglobin, PCV, and total erythrocytic count?

It decreases the haemoglobin, PCV, and total erythrocytic count Signup and view all the answers

What is the possible cause of neutrophilia in rumen impaction?

Presence of foreign bodies and sloughing Signup and view all the answers

What is the possible cause of hypocalcaemia in rumen impaction?

Dietary deficiency of calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is a common observation in cattle with dietary abomasal impaction?

Varying degrees of dehydration and emaciation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of rumen impaction on the cattle?

Depression, anorexia, reduced milk yield, abdominal distension, and loss of defecation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of treatment for dietary abomasal impaction?

To determine which animals should be slaughtered immediately Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical location of the laparotomy performed to explore the abdomen for peritoneal lesions?

Right flank Signup and view all the answers

What is the daily rate of balanced electrolyte solution infusion in treating dietary abomasal impaction?

80-120 mL/kg Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible reason for rumen impaction in stray cattle?

Scavenging on refuse dumps Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of administering dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) in treating dietary abomasal impaction?

To lubricate the abomasum Signup and view all the answers

In which type of cattle is b-Impaction of the abomasum commonly seen?

Pregnant beef cows during cold winter months Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a tachycardia of 100-120 bpm in a cow with dietary abomasal impaction?

It is a poor treatment risk Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of dietary abomasal impaction?

Consumption of excess roughage low in both digestible protein and energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical duration of balanced electrolyte solution infusion in treating dietary abomasal impaction?

Up to 72 hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of ions of hydrogen and chloride being continually secreted into the abomasum despite impaction?

Alkalosis with hypochloremia Signup and view all the answers

What is the dose rate of mineral oil administration in treating dietary abomasal impaction?

4 L/day for 3 days Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of fluids not moving beyond the abomasum into the duodenum for absorption?

Varying degrees of dehydration Signup and view all the answers

What is the probable cause of abomasal impaction in postparturient dairy cows?

Abomasal hypomotility Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of sequestration of potassium ions in the abomasum?

Hypokalemia Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible consequence of severe abomasal impaction?

Irreversible abomasal atony Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rumen Impaction

Rumen impaction is an accumulation of indigestible materials in the rumen, leading to distension and interference with the flow of ingesta.
The effects of indigestible foreign bodies (IFB) such as polythene bags, metallic objects, fibers, and hair balls on cattle nutrition and health have not been fully elucidated.
IFB are more common in females than males, with 91.02% of cases occurring in adult cattle.
Clinical signs of rumen impaction include pale mucous membrane, absence of rumination, reduced ruminal motility, and absence of stratification.
Rectal examination reveals pellet mucous-coated dung.
Rumen impaction can cause depression, anorexia, reduced milk yield, abdominal distension, and loss of defecation.
Blood biochemical changes include highly significant decreases in hemoglobin, PCV, and total erythrocytic count, with leukocytosis and normocytic normochromic anemia.
Neutrophilia may be due to dietary deficiency, presence of foreign bodies, and inflammatory response.

Impaction of the Abomasum

Abomasal impaction develops in pregnant beef cows during cold winter months when cattle have decreased water intake and are fed poor-quality roughage.
Impaction also occurs in feedlot cattle fed mixed rations containing chopped or ground roughage (straw, hay) and cereal grains, and in late-pregnancy dairy cows on similar feeds.
The cause of dietary abomasal impaction is due to consumption of excess roughage low in digestible protein and energy.
Impaction with sand can occur if cattle are fed hay or silage on sandy soils, or root crops that are sandy or dirty.
Outbreaks may affect up to 15% of all pregnant cattle on individual farms when the ambient temperature drops to -2°C or lower for several days.
The pathogenesis is related to diet, leading to sub-acute obstruction of the upper GI tract, ions of hydrogen and chloride secretion, and alkalosis with hypochloremia.
Varying degrees of dehydration develop due to fluids not moving beyond the abomasum into the duodenum for absorption.
Sequestration of potassium ions in the abomasum results in hypokalemia.

Clinical Findings and Lesions

Complete anorexia, scant feces, moderate distention of the abdomen, weight loss, and weakness are usually the initial signs of dietary abomasal impaction.
Body temperature is usually normal but may be subnormal during cold weather.
Mucoid nasal discharge tends to collect at the external nares and on the muzzle; the muzzle is usually dry and cracked due to dehydration.
The heart rate may be increased, and mild dehydration is common.
The rumen is static and distended with dry contents, but it may contain excess fluid if the cow has been fed finely ground feed.
Protozoal activity in the rumen ranges from normal to a marked reduction in numbers and activity.
Deep palpation and strong percussion of the right flank may indicate the presence of a large, firm mass (impacted abomasum) and elicit a grunt.
Severely affected cattle die 3-6 days after the onset of signs, and the abomasum ruptures in some cases, leading to death from acute, diffuse peritonitis and shock.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Clinical diagnosis of dietary abomasal impaction is based on nutritional history, clinical evidence of impaction, and laboratory results.
Right flank laparotomy may be necessary to explore the abdomen for peritoneal lesions.
The challenge is to recognize cases that will respond to treatment and those that will not.
Medical treatment usually requires a confirmed diagnosis via right-side laparotomy.
In cows that are treated, metabolic alkalosis, hypochloremia, hypokalemia, and dehydration should be corrected.
Lubricants can be used to move the impacted material, and surgical emptying of the abomasum may be necessary in severe cases.
Balanced electrolyte solutions should be infused IV continuously for up to 72 hours at a daily rate of 80-120 mL/kg.
Mineral oil can be administered at 4 L/day for 3 days, and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) can be injected once into the abomasum during standing right flank laparotomy.

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Description

Learn about the effects of indigestible materials on the rumen and nutrition of cattle, including the impact of foreign objects and toxic substances.