Indigestion is a general
term used to describe many different problems involving rumen function and the
flow of feed material through the rumen and intestines. Some major causes of
indigestion include the following:
- Hardware disease (traumatic reticuloperitonitis)
- Vagal indigestion (This basically means that the nerves that cause
normal passage of feed material out of the rumen and abomasum are not
functioning properly.)
- Obstructions
- Bloat
- Inflammation of the rumen (rumenitis)
- Grain overload (acidosis)
- General inactivity of normal rumen bacteria
- Ulcers
- Any underlying disease process (mastitis, pneumonia, D/A)
Each of the above problems comes with its own set of clinical signs;
therefore, it is necessary to become familiar with each disease. Additional
information on many of the above situations can be found in this manual.
Diagnosis:
- Listening to the rumen is essential for diagnosis. This is done by placing
a stethoscope on the left flank region of the abdomen. A normal rumen will
contract at least once a minute and an eructation or burp should be noticed
every 2 to 3 minutes. See page B880 for additional help.
- The rumen protozoa can be examined by a veterinarian if a very fresh
sample of rumen contents is taken in for microscopic examination. The sample
is collected by placing a tube into the rumen and drawing out 20-30 mL of
the fluid. Based on the numbers and quality of the organisms present, an
appropriate treatment can be suggested.
Treatment:
- Always try to determine the underlying cause for the indigestion and
initiate the appropriate treatment to correct that problem!
- Administer a product (Probios) to re-establish the normal rumen flora.
- Vitamin B (Super B Complex) can help stimulate the animal to eat.
- Feeding a high-fiber ration may be necessary.
- Transfaunation, a process which takes the rumen juices from a healthy
animal and places them in a sick animal, is even more effective than Probios.
This procedure requires that a fistulated animal be accessible, or fresh
rumen contents be obtained from a meat packer.
Prevention: Most cases of indigestion can be prevented using a balanced
nutrition program and maintaining proper management practices.