Treatment of atony of the proventriculus in a cow. Cow rumen: diseases, pathologies Atony of the gastrointestinal tract in cows
The digestive tract of ruminants is very interestingly arranged; in order to digest a huge amount of pasture, they have three proventriculi: a scar, a net, a book and a true stomach - abomasum. All of them are needed in order to prepare the feed for the intake of nutrients from it.
The scar is the largest part of the proventriculus, its capacity is about 200 liters and it occupies almost the entire left half of the cow's body behind the ribs. Everything that the cow originally ate enters the rumen, here the food is saturated with rumen contents and thoroughly mixed, periodically burping back into the oral cavity for one more chewing. The reduction of the scar occurs due to the powerful muscular wall, and the epigastric nerve causes it to contract. But the most important are the protozoa that live in the rumen of ruminants, thanks to them. nutrients come out of the feed and they are the source of B vitamins for the cow. All other animals (not ruminants) cannot synthesize B vitamins, they get them from meat.
Another cause of atony can be a blockage of a foreign object in the esophagus. Most often it is potatoes or beets, cows like not to chew, but to swallow immediately. Blockage can lead to secondary rumen tympania in the cow. The treatment consists in removing the foreign object: it can be pushed or pulled out, it all depends on the site of the blockage, and the cow is given an anti-fermentant inside.
Any dysfunction of the scar is accompanied by the death of the inhabitants of the proventriculus, intoxication, reduced milk yield, impaired liver function and imbalance in hormone levels.
Rumen atony in a cow is a sudden stoppage of rumen contractility. This can happen for various reasons. The first and less dangerous is simply a spasm of the epigastric nerve or its inflammation. Spasm is relieved by the use of antispasmodics. And inflammation of the nerve often occurs due to pneumonia, so that having cured the underlying disease, the concomitant ones will also disappear. Then you can start the scar with the help of hellebore tincture inside (5-12 ml per head) and intensive massage. Another cause of atony is the ingress of a foreign object into the scar, such as a nail, which happens quite often. In this case, a veterinarian is called to perform a rumenotomy (opening), otherwise the walls of the scar will perforate, the food masses will fall into the peritoneal space. All this will cause peritonitis and, as a result, the death of the animal.
When a cow has a very poor diet, she does not have enough feed, the intake of mineral and vitamin substances decreases, the cow begins to greedily eat everything that she should not eat. For example, there is a litter, and this is more often sawdust or branches from trees, bark. All this irritates the walls of the scar, microorganisms cannot break it down, as a result, the scar stops its work. So there is a blockage of the scar in a cow. Treatment comes down to opening the scar, cleansing it and starting it up again.
Rumen acidosis in a cow is an acidification of its pH. This is a disease of high producing cows. It occurs when a large amount of concentrates appears in the diet. This leads to a rapid increase in lactic acid in the rumen, and hence the death of microorganisms, diarrhea and dehydration. The mucous membrane of the scar is severely damaged, which will later be manifested by malfunctions in its work. prevention of acidosis is a lot of hay in the diet.
Rumen tympania in a cow is an excessive accumulation of gas in the rumen. Tympania is very dangerous and can kill cows in a matter of hours. This incident happens to cows when they accidentally eat fresh grass of clover, alfalfa, vetch, corn cobs, cabbage leaves or legumes. In addition, grazing on the grass after rain, dew or frost, eating rotten root crops and apples, bards or grains. The left side of the cow's body swells like a balloon, the scar begins to put pressure on the diaphragm, and it, in turn, on the lungs. The cow's eyes bulge, the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, conjunctiva become blue, asphyxia occurs. To save the animal at this moment, you can only puncture the scar with a trocar and slowly release the gas.
Better than any treatment is prevention. So that the cow does not have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to clearly and correctly draw up her diet, and most importantly, provide the cow with this diet.
The state of atony of the proventriculus in cows is accompanied by a decrease in the contractile activity of such gastric sections as the mesh, book and scar. Symptoms of atony are manifested in the weakness of contractions or in their complete absence. Of course, such a low activity of digestion affects both the health of the animal and its mood.
Scheme of the digestive system of a cow: 1-esophagus, 2-liver, 3-multidimensional stomach, 4-large intestine; 5-small intestine; 6-duodenum, 7-pancreas. On the right - the structure of the stomach: 1-mesh, 2-book, 3-abomasum, 4-rumen.
The diagram above shows the structure of the digestive system of a cow and the stomach in particular. At the initial stages of atony, weak contractions of the scar are observed, but at the advanced stages - their complete absence. This causes suffering to the animal - the food stagnates, is not digested. Treatment of atony is mandatory for any cow, otherwise the disease will become chronic and intestinal obstruction may occur.
Reasons for the appearance
The unhealthy lack of contractions of the proventriculus is due to several reasons. The first is feeding livestock with feed that is difficult to digest, such as hay or straw, as well as concentrates. The second reason is the use of low-quality, moldy feed. Additional reasons: the animal drinks dirty water or abruptly switches to another food.
Symptoms of the disease
The main symptoms that accompany atony of the proventriculus:
- poor appetite or its complete absence;
- liquid "chewing gum" or its absence;
- weak movements of the scar;
- a seal is palpable in the scar;
- rare bowel movements and even diarrhea;
- decrease in milk supply.
Treatment Methods
With proper treatment of atony, the animal becomes better after 3 days. In general, complete recovery is fixed after 5-7 days. Treatment includes absence during the day. On the second day, you can give high-quality hay, greens, fresh grass, raw root crops. Compound feed only in small quantities!
In addition to nutrition, the activity of the animal is also regulated. The cow must walk several times a day, and the scar must be kneaded (gently massaging the area of the hungry hole on the left side with a fist). In addition to fresh food, the cow is given dissolved in water Glauber's salt(mirabilite) in an amount of about a liter. About 200 grams of mirabilite are taken per liter of water. You can also give natural vegetable oil - no more than 800 grams per day.
After such treatment, the animal should feel better. If the cow fell ill in the winter, try to prevent atony of the proventriculus in the spring. Constantly monitor and monitor her well-being.
Video "Puncture of a book in a cow"
The video clearly demonstrates the procedure for puncturing the book. It is done when the book is filled with fodder masses.
Igor Nikolaev
Reading time: 3 minutes
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big man's appetite cattle is an indicator of health. Its absence worries the owner, because it can be a harbinger of many diseases of various origins. Often, only a specialist can help in determining the cause. But sometimes his help is urgently impossible. The livestock breeder needs to master the elementary actions that will provide first aid to the cow. In this publication we will talk about diseases of the stomach.
Causes
In cattle, problems with the work of the stomach are noticed quite often. In some cases, this is due to the human factor. The owner gives the cow low-quality feed, heavy, too cold or hot food. The cow, in turn, is sometimes not too picky and swallows food that is harmful to itself, and often foreign objects. Harmful to the stomach of a cow:
- the use of poorly chopped root crops, corn, pumpkin and other species;
- foreign objects, up to nails and stones;
- starvation, when the animal begins to randomly and greedily swallow the food provided belatedly;
- fright and, as a result, stomach spasm (the phenomenon is often noted in a calf), the esophagus becomes very narrow and becomes.
According to these prerequisites, the appropriate recommendations for feeding pets should be followed. In particular, give the cow only fresh food, well crushed to avoid stomach cramps.
Vegetables can be grated or chopped. Corn cobs need to be cleaned. Avoid long breaks between meals.
In some cases, paralysis of the esophagus contributes to the course of the disease. This is due to injury to the mucous membrane of the esophagus and the muscular wall. In addition, a tumor can grow there with tuberculosis or leukemia. Inflammation of the brain also leads to paralysis in infections of the rabies type.
Symptoms
The disease will not take long, the signs appear immediately if the stomach does not work:
- belching disappears and the chewing reflex disappears;
- refusal to eat and open mouth;
- the cow begins to chew on the void so that the foam comes out;
- nervous tail waving;
- triggered cough reflex;
- breathing is heavy, with shortness of breath.
If food or an object has stood in the region of the larynx, then this will be visually noticeable. Then, with vomiting, the cow tries to push him out. She often succeeds.
When the blockage goes lower, the anxiety of the animal increases. With partial blockage, gas is burped through the esophagus, water is able to reach the stomach. But the digestion process is still disturbed, the cow's stomach becomes irreversible.
Treatment
A risen stomach gives the cow not only unpleasant sensations, but can also lead to his death. Therefore, treatment should follow as soon as symptoms are detected. Since help must follow quickly, many breeders have questions about what can be done at home if a cow has a stomachache.
First, you should carefully examine the animal. Perhaps the disease has come due to a foreign object that can be obtained. Do this:
- the cow should be properly tied up, she should not push and move.
- wrap your hand with a rag up to your shoulder so as not to damage it.
- so that the animal does not close its mouth, insert a wedge between the teeth.
- the assistant should put the object between the teeth if the wedge suddenly falls out.
- pour a little vegetable oil for soft glide of the probe.
- you can pour in a little water, up to three liters, to push the object.
Sometimes at home, you can make a cow stretch out its tongue, irritate it in every possible way in order to form vomiting. It is hoped that she will be able to spit out the foreign body.
In addition, antispasmodics can be injected intramuscularly under the skin. If there was no probe at hand, then a rubber hose with round edges will fit. It is desirable that the diameter does not exceed three and a half centimeters. Hard objects such as sticks should not be used as they can injure the esophagus.
Sometimes the victim is a calf. Newborn babies often have bloating. It is still not sufficiently developed, only the food chute works and the stoppage of the stomach occurs systematically.
At the age of two months, the problem disappears with the introduction of dry food. They normalize the work of the intestines and stomach. To relieve spasm, no-shpa, oxettracycline and sulfocamphoin help.
When the stomach stops, contraction or stoppage of the fore-stomach develops. The zone of the hungry fossa on the left can be crushed with fists in order to force the stomach to work by physical action.
Animal breeders often practice treatment folk methods. For example, a small calf can be given any vegetable pickle, mineral water to drink to start the stomach.
If the first-aid kit did not contain the necessary medicines or it is not possible to physically push through an object or a lump of food, there are still options for what to do at home if the cow has a stomach. These are folk recipes:
- one hundred grams of yeast is dissolved in warm water, a glass is enough. Let them swell for half an hour. Then add two hundred grams of vodka and one hundred sugar. The liter of liquid thus obtained is allowed to be consumed by the cow twice a day. You need to continue to drink for several days;
- hellebore tincture is mixed with water in a volume of five hundred milliliters. It is also given to a sick cow;
- a decoction of St. John's wort, yarrow, flax seeds helps to make the stomach work again. Enough to use twice a day.
If the owners of the cow have done all the manipulations at home, but they do not help, you have to resort to the help of a veterinarian. Sometimes surgery is required. He can advise cardiovascular drugs with the addition of glucose.
Problem Prevention
In the case of a clash of gastric arrest and a favorable outcome, one should not feed the cow for a while. At least twenty-four hours. You can only give to drink, including mineral water.
And in order to prevent blockage, it is necessary to grind food, not to allow raw cake to be consumed.
A hungry cow should not be on the site where beets, potatoes or corn were harvested. It's heavy food for her stomach.
Bloating of the rumen in cows (tympania) is the accumulation of a large volume of gases in one of the organs of the esophagus, resulting from a sharp increase in gas formation, or blockage (blocking the movement of feed masses) to the stomach of the animal.
What is a scar
Digestion in cows is very in an interesting way. Many have heard that cows are ruminants. But few people know what exactly led to such a definition.
Two concepts appear here - the oral cavity and the scar.
Everything is clear with the oral cavity, but the scar is a pregastric section of a large, one might say, huge capacity. It occupies almost the entire left side of the cow's body. All the food that the cow has eaten goes into the rumen. There it is treated with rumen fluid with thorough mixing and, when burped, returns to the oral cavity, where another chewing takes place. This may happen several times. Therefore, an outside observer has the feeling that cows are constantly chewing cud. Basically, that's the way it is.
Video: Rumen tympania in calves. Bloating roumen in calves
Another important process takes place in the rumen. Microorganisms (protozoa) are constantly present in it, which actively help to separate the animals and nutrients necessary for the body. At the same time, they produce a very valuable for everyone, vitamin B group. Only ruminants have their own "factory" for its production. All other animals receive it from the outside.
What is the danger of tympania
With a sharp increase (accumulation) in the rumen of cows of an excessively large amount of gases, its expansion occurs. Since it is located in close proximity to the lungs of the animal, there is a direct effect on them (squeezing). For normal functioning, the lungs need a free volume for expansion during inspiration, but due to the fact that there is none (all the space is occupied by a swollen scar), the lungs cannot work normally. And with a further increase in pressure from the side of the scar, asphyxia occurs (cessation of breathing due to physical impact on the respiratory system).
Another danger is heart failure. Again, due to compression, the heart and the vessels surrounding it cannot work normally.
If timely assistance is not provided, then the death of the animal occurs in 3-4 hours.
Cause of the disease
Symptoms of the disease
In the initial stage, this is restless behavior. Cows moo, lie down and get up for no apparent reason, trying to see what is happening with their stomach. Then the appetite disappears and salivation increases, the stomach and left side begin to increase. The contractions of the scar itself first become more frequent, then become weak and disappear altogether. The chewing function stops. Body temperature rises significantly. After a short period of time, swelling increases so much that it is simply impossible not to see it.
The disease can take place in two forms - acute and chronic. In the acute form, immediate intervention is necessary to provide assistance. In chronic cases, simply exclude the causes. If this is not done, then the animal will lose weight, lose its ability to produce milk, and will be culled.
Video: Puncture of a book in a cow. Puncture omasum cow
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Video: Clogging (blockage) of a cow's book
Treatment of the disease
Like any other disease, tympania in cows is easiest to cure at an early stage. When the first signs of this disease appear, it is immediately necessary to carry out a set of countermeasures that will lead to the recovery of the animal:
If the disease has a pronounced, acute form, it is necessary to carry out complex therapy, which should be aimed at reducing the volume of gas in the rumen, reducing the ability to ferment in it, eliminating toxic elements that have accumulated in the body and normalizing the cardiovascular activity of the animal .
Removal of gases is carried out by introducing a probe (thick hose) through the oral cavity to the very scar. This requires an external massage of the swollen area and the animal must be in a position in which the front of the body is much higher than the back.
After removing the gases, the rumen is washed, several times introducing large (up to 10 liters) volumes of water, followed by a reverse withdrawal, together with the newly formed gases.
Video: How to deprive a cow of swelling / How to deprive a swelling cow
To clean and eliminate the chemical binding of gases, with the help of a rubber bottle, several liters of fresh milk are given with water, in which about 300 g of charcoal and about a liter of water are dissolved, having dissolved 20 g of magnesium oxide in it.
To reduce fermentation processes and gas formation, formalin, ichthyol, turpentine, an alcohol solution of iodine and other agents that have disinfectant properties are used inside.
It is possible to normalize cardiovascular activity, as well as eliminate possible poisoning, with the help of intravenous administration of glucose, caffeine and sodium chloride solution.
If it is not possible to remove gases through the animal's mouth, a puncture of the scar should be made, in extreme cases, you can use a regular knife, making an incision if there is no trocar. It should be remembered that the release of gases should occur slowly.
Igor Nikolaev
Reading time: 4 minutes
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The structure of the stomach in ruminants is complex. The departments of the scar, mesh and book are called the proventriculus. Food accumulates in them, splitting by microbes, digestion of food and absorption occurs. As a result of feeding disorders, such a common disease of cattle as atony of the proventriculus occurs.
Digestive disorders
The disappearance of the contractility of the proventriculus leads to atony. Musculature ceases to work and perform its functions. But we are talking about the process of digestion and assimilation of feed. If you do not pay attention to this problem, the departments of the proventriculus cease to function at all. Since the disease in cattle is quite common, it is simply necessary to know about this disease.
Causes
Stagnation of food leads to bloating and pain. There are several known factors that lead to the cessation of the work of the proventriculus. The main ones are related to the fact that the cow consumes:
Among the signs of the onset of the disease and factors that are not related to the nutrition of the animal are distinguished:
- transportation of livestock by any means of transport;
- long hauls;
- transferred stress;
- industrial or other loud noise;
- no regular walks.
signs
The fact that the animal has pathological processes in the body will be said external signs. They will be the impetus for conducting internal research and testing.
The following symptoms should alert the owner of a personal subsidiary or collective farm:
- Cattle refuse to eat;
- reducing the amount of chewing gum and stopping burping. They allow food to burp into the mouth, chew thoroughly and return to the rumen. If there is no chewing gum, then there is a disease;
- seals are seen in the scar. This is the accumulation of food. At first it is solid, and later it liquefies;
- feces change, become sparse, more often liquid, or, on the contrary, excessively dense, in lumps;
- animal lethargy and weight loss;
- reduction in milk yield due to a reduction in the amount of food consumed;
- body temperature can rise to forty degrees.
The structure of the stomach in ruminants
Establishing diagnosis
The cow began to lie more, the belching disappeared along with the appetite. The medical history and the above signs mean that it is time to consult a specialist.
IMPORTANT! First you need to feel the belly of the cow. During the examination, there is a thickening of the scar, it stops shrinking. Before the absorption of food, the number of contractions does not exceed three in two minutes. When feeding is over, the number increases to five times. Atony of the proventriculus in cows inhibits this process, significantly slowing down and eventually completely stopping.
Not to be confused with injuries
During the verdict, the specialist must exclude traumatic reticulitis. The disease is not contagious, develops after damage to the mesh wall with a sharp object. If you pay attention to the injury at the wrong time, the inflammatory process begins.
Foreign bodies cows and calves absorb with feed. They linger in the departments of the proventriculus without causing problems. But in some cases, sharp objects pierce the walls of the mesh and pierce or break them. Thus, as in atony, food is not digested and appetite disappears.
Atony of the proventriculus must be taken seriously to alleviate the condition of the animal and prevent serious consequences. Unfortunately, the risk of intestinal obstruction cannot be excluded, as well as the death of a cow.
To get in time
At first, the contractions of the scar decrease, and hypotension sets in. The phenomenon is acute and develops rapidly. In a day or even less, the scar reduction disappears in the cow and the state of health worsens:
- if the case is mild and assistance is provided on initial stage, then the cow recovers in less than a week;
- when inflammation of the abomasum and intestines is allowed, the book is full, then it will take about two weeks;
- in some cases, atony develops into a chronic form.
In most cases, time plays a decisive role in the appointment of treatment for the disease. The sooner the attentive livestock owner realized it, the better. All symptoms should be reported to an expert.
Determination of goals
As a rule, specialists prescribe a complex and diverse treatment. It implies tasks that must be performed at the initial stage, with primary hypotension:
- restoration of motor activity of the proventriculus;
- stop putrefactive processes;
- creation of normal microbial processes in the rumen;
- fight against general intoxication.
So, the first point means washing the scar with a one percent solution of sodium sulfate or bicarbonate. It will take more than thirty liters. Veterinarians often use hellebore rhizome tincture. It is mixed with water and the cattle are soldered fifteen milliliters at a time. Thus, chewing gum is called.
Drugs protoveratrin, nervin promote contraction of the proventriculus and induce regurgitation. In addition, the complex appoint intravenous administration sodium chloride once, in rare cases, administered again the next day. Its action is very fruitful and gives:
Method selection
Some foods that have not previously been related to the nutrition of the cow, with atony of the proventriculus, and the choice of treatment, may help. Experts use wormwood in small doses up to two times a day, cucumber, tomato and cabbage pickles. Even vodka comes into play - about a hundred milliliters. Here are the main techniques:
- excellent results are demonstrated by the appointment of the mixture. Fifty milliliters of ethyl alcohol, one hundred grams of yeast and two hundred grams of sugar are diluted in one liter of water. The resulting liquid should be given to the cow once a day. If necessary, repeat the next day;
- does not interfere with the treatment of massage of the left iliac. Stroking should be done from the bottom up counterclockwise for fifteen minutes up to four times a day. In some cases, deep cool enemas are very helpful;
- in parallel with the rest of the manipulations, care must be taken to stop the putrefactive and fermentation processes in the pancreas and intestines. To do this, you need to use one of the means inside - ichthyol, formalin, creolin.
If the doctor is faced with an overflow of the scar, then it is better for the animal to starve. In no case should you deprive the cow of water. Carlsbad salt dissolved in water will only benefit.
IMPORTANT! It is enough to wait one or two days and start introducing food. His choice should be approached especially thoughtfully. For example, quality hay in small quantities or green grass will fit at first. Salted sugar beets, carrots or potatoes, flour mash, brewer's yeast will not hurt. All products must be fresh and prepared in good conditions with cleanliness.
As soon as the condition of the animal improves, the amount of food can be increased. You should not overeat, but it is recommended to come gradually to a normal diet.
In conclusion of the recommendations, it should be noted that the cow must move. It is not desirable for a cow to lie down for a long time, but to walk on its own legs. At the first sign of improvement in gastric processes, she should be sent for a walk. No sudden movements, just slow walking. Thus, there is a process of returning the normal tone of the muscles of the proventriculus.
Disease prevention
In summer, the body of a cow receives strong immunity. The animal spends a lot of time in the sun, free-range, eats fresh grass. In the stall period, the situation becomes more complicated. Therefore, the health of cattle deserves a careful attitude:
- compliance with the feeding regime with high-quality, proven food;
- the transition from one type of food to another should be gradual, careful;
- steam dry or too coarse food, alternating with juicy;
- forget about missing or spoiled food remnants;
- choose only clean and warm water;
- take out for a walk even in the cold season for at least a couple of hours;
- be attentive to any changes in the mood and behavior of the cow.