Pathophysiological evaluation of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) by continuous ruminal pH monitoring.

Evaluation of the radio-transmission pH-measurement system for monitoring the ruminal pH and subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in cattle is described. This is done in order to reveal the possible application of this system for detection and pathophysiological research of SARA by continuous ruminal pH measurement. The possibility of using this system for assessment of the ruminal pH in SARA cattle, and the presence of negative correlation between the ruminal pH and ruminal temperature in heathy and SARA cattle were determined. In addition, the 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing analysis showed that the ruminal microbial community was simpler in SARA cattle, and the bacterial numbers in SARA cattle were lower than those in healthy hay-fed cattle. Concentrate feeding might have reduced the diversity of the ruminal microbial community. Changes in the ruminal microbial community of SARA cattle might be related to the changes in ruminal pH followed by the decrease in the number of some bacteria. Continuous monitoring of the ruminal pH using the radio-transmission pH-measurement system would be applied for detection and prevention of SARA in the field and pathophysiological research of SARA, including ruminal zymology and bacteriology, which have been determined previously by sampling of the ruminal fluid and measuring of ruminal pH.

Poisoning of goats by the pods of Luetzelburgia auriculata.

Farmers report that the pods of Luetzelburgia auriculata cause digestive signs and death when ingested by goats. To demonstrate the toxicity of the pods of this plant 12 goats were divided into 4 groups of 3 goats each. Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were administered 2.5, 1, 0.5 and nil g of pods per kg body weight, respectively. Goats in Groups 1 and 2 developed decreased ruminal movements followed by anorexia, depression and soft feces or diarrhea. Goats in Group 1 died 59-106 h after first showing clinical signs. Goats in Group 2 also regurgitated rumen content, but all recovered 65-90 h after first showing clinical signs. The only clinical sign shown by goats in Group 3 was regurgitation of rumen content, and all goats recovered 5.5-24 h after first regurgitating. All goats in Group 4 remained normal. The goats that died were necropsied and found to have a reddish mucosa of the forestomachs that detached easily from the underlying tissues. Other lesions included diffuse reddening of the mucosa of the abomasum and intestine. Histological examination of the mucosa of the forestomachs showed diffuse ballooning degeneration of keratinocytes, with necrosis and vesicle and pustule formation in the epithelium. In some areas there was sloughing of the ruminal epithelium. These results demonstrate that the pods of L. auriculata are toxic and responsible for field outbreaks of poisoning in goats in the state of Piaui.

Fisiopatología de las deficiencias de cobre en rumiantes y su diagnóstico / Physiopathology of copper deficiencies in ruminants and its diagnosis

El cobre (Cu) constituye un elemento esencial en la nutrición animal. Existen diferentes signos asociados a su deficiencia en rumiantes. El diagnóstico actual de las alteraciones en el estado de Cu está basado tanto en determinaciones plasmáticas como en la concentración hepática; sin embargo, esta última es técnicamente complicada. Otro indicador de hipocuprosis es la concentración plasmática de ceruloplasmina. Se describen conceptos actuales sobre el diagnóstico de deficiencias de Cu en rumiantes. La investigación debe dirigirse hacia la búsqueda de nuevos métodos de diagnóstico de hipocuprosis.

Estudio comparativo de las lesiones gastricas inducidas por estres y etanol en ratas

OBJETIVO: Comparar el grado de lesión gástrica en ratas machos, entre los modelos ulcerogénicos inducidos por: inmovilización, inmovilización más luz intermitente, inmovilización más inmersión en agua y etanol a 99.5º a las 6 y 12 horas. DISEÑO: Estudio experimental, comparativo, randomizado, ciego y controlado. LUGAR: Bioterio y laboratorio de fisiología de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNSA de Arequipa. SUJETOS: 5 grupos de 10 ratas cada uno, y un grupo pre-experimento de 5 ratas. La distribución de los animales en cada grupo fue randomizado. INTERVENCION: Se produjeron las lesiones gástricas de acuerdo al grupo correspondiente. Posteriormente la mitad de los animales fueron sacrificados a las 6 hrs y la otra mitad a las 12 horas, para luego proceder a la evaluación macroscópica y microscópica de los estómagos respectivamente por lectura ciega. RESULTADOS: Entre los grupos control, inmovilización, e inmovilización más luz intermitente no existe diferencia significativa (P>0.005) tanto macroscópicamente. Existe diferencia significativa (P<0.005) entre el grupo control e inmovilización más inmersión en agua y etanol. No existe diferencia significativa entre las 6 y las 12 horas de exposición al modelo ulcerogénico. CONCLUSIONES: La inmovilización y la inmovilización más luz intermitente no son buenos productores de lesiones gástricas experimentales. La inmovilización más inmersión en agua y etanol a 99.5º son exelentes productores de lesiones gástricas. El grado de daño producido por los diferentes modelos ulcerogénicos a las 6 y 12 horas es el mismo

Third compartment ulcers in the llama.

The diagnosis of third compartment ulcers in the llama and alpaca is largely one of exclusion. Clinical signs may include mild to severe colic, inappetence, decreased fecal output, bruxism, and depression. Abdominocentesis results are usually unremarkable if C3 perforation has not occurred but reflective of a generalized peritonitis if full thickness ulceration has occurred. The H-2 receptor antagonists cimetidine and ranitidine do not suppress C3 acid production for a significant period of time and are of questionable efficacy in the management of C3 ulcers.

Evaluation of a behavioral medicine consultative treatment for chronic, ruminative vomiting.

This case study evaluated a multicomponent behavioral medicine treatment package for chronic ruminating and vomiting in a 13-year-old child with multiple disabilities. Treatment incorporated dietary and medication manipulations combined with behavioral intervention. The treatment package was designed and evaluated via a consultative model in a residential-care setting. The child's ruminative vomiting decreased steadily with implementation of treatment and reduced rates were maintained 2 years later. This case illustrates collaboration between physicians and psychologists in developing comprehensive behavioral medicine interventions for health-threatening clinical disorders.

Alleviation of excessive gas accumulation in the ruminant stomach by ritanserin.

The relationships between forestomach motility and eructation rate were studied in sheep and cattle. Three ewes and 2 heifers were implanted with strain gauges on the reticulo-rumen and fitted with a cannula in the dorsal sac of the rumen. Studies were performed in sheep after induction of hypocalcemia by Na2EDTA infusion and cattle were studied after ruminal distension. Experiments were performed by measuring the rate and volume of eructated ruminal gases, using a technique by which the trachea is transected. The frequency of reticulo-ruminal contractions decreased 40% within 30 minutes of Na2EDTA infusion to the sheep. The volume of eructated gas (for 30-minute periods) decreased from 10.7 L to 5.5 L at the end of the 60-minute infusion period. Pretreatment with ritanserin (0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneously) not only prevented bloating during the ruminal stasis induced by hypocalcemia, but also significantly increased the eructated volume of gas. In cattle, ritanserin given at the same dose level (0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneously) significantly increased the volume of eructated gas after ruminal distension. This study supports the hypothesis that the caudal esophageal sphincter has a role in the rate of ruminal gas eructation and indicates that its relaxation may be due to a 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonist.

Clinical diseases of the rumen: a physiologist's view.

An interpretation of many of the classical signs of ruminal dysfunction is possible by extrapolation from the results of research in rumen physiology. Correlation of motility and ruminal fluid characteristics will often provide a means of establishing the degree, the duration and the differential diagnosis of the dysfunction detected. In the case of disorders of ruminal motility, general anaesthesia and diseases at any sites which produce pain or fever can inhibit the hindbrain reflex centres responsible for evoking primary and secondary cycle contractions of the reticulorumen. Simple indigestion/rumen impaction, vagus indigestion and hypocalcaemic milk fever cause ruminal stasis, probably because they relax the reticuloruminal smooth muscle and hence decrease the reflexly excitable sensory inputs from tension receptors. Grain engorgement/ruminal acidosis and extreme bloat are likely to excite other sensory receptors (epithelial receptors), which reflexly inhibit cyclical motility. Bloat occurs when eructation is inadequate either because the oesophagus is obstructed or because cardiac opening is reflexly inhibited by the presence of ruminal fluid rather than gas at the cardia in conditions of subnormal motility or of leguminous frothing.

Effect of hypocalcemia on motility of the ruminant stomach.

The sensitivity of ruminal and abomasal contractions to hypocalcemia was evaluated in sheep. Serum diffusible calcium concentrations were determined during induction of hypocalcemia (IV infusion of Na2EDTA) and recovery from hypocalcemia (no infusion). Contractile strength of the rumen gradually decreased as serum diffusible calcium concentrations decreased; significant correlation (r = 0.75; P less than 0.001) was observed. Ruminal contractions disappeared before clinical signs of hypocalcemia were seen. Abomasal contractions were slightly reduced when serum diffusible calcium concentrations were equal to those producing ruminal stasis and clinical signs of hypocalcemia. These observations indicated that ruminal dysfunction may occur considerably before the onset of clinical signs of hypocalcemia.

Fat cow syndrome.

The objective of this paper is to characterize the fat cow syndrome. This condition refers to a combination of metabolic, digestive, infectious, and reproductive conditions which affects the obese periparturient cow. The condition develops primarily due to faulty feed management which permits excessive consumption of unbalanced diets. The syndrome is frequently a herd problem characterized by a high morbidity and mortality due to an increase in disease in periparturient cows. Clinical signs include depression, anorexia, ketonuria, marked decrease in production, progressive debilitation, weakness, nervous signs, and an elevation in temperature due to infectious disease. The obesity is generalized throughout the body with extensive fatty metamorphosis in the liver. Histological changes are primarily in the liver and kidney. Treatment of the condition consists of feeding a balanced diet, symptomatic treatment, and good supportive care. The condition can be prevented by feeding a balanced diet according to nutrient requirements of the National Research Council.