Metabolic-digestive clinical disorders of lactating dairy cows were associated with alterations of rumination, physical activity, and lying behavior monitored by an ear-attached sensor.

The objective of this observational cohort study was to characterize the pattern of rumination time (RT), physical activity (PA), and lying time (LT) monitored by an automated health monitoring system, based on an ear-attached sensor, immediately before, during, and after clinical diagnosis (CD) of metabolic-digestive disorders. Sensor data were collected from 820 lactating Holstein cows monitored daily from calving up to 21 DIM for detection of health disorders (HD). Cows were grouped retrospectively in the no-clinical health disorder group (NCHD; n = 616) if no HD were diagnosed, or the metabolic-digestive group (METB-DIG; n = 58) if diagnosed with clinical ketosis or indigestion only. Cows with another clinical health disorder within -7 to +7 d of CD of displaced abomasum, clinical ketosis, or indigestion were included in the metabolic-digestive plus one group (METB-DIG+1; n = 25). Daily RT, PA, and LT, and absolute and relative changes within -7 to +7 d of CD were analyzed with linear mixed models with or without repeated measures. Rumination time and PA were smaller, and LT was greater for the METB-DIG and METB-DIG+1 group than for cows in the NCHD group for most days from -7 to +7 d of CD of HD. In general, daily RT, PA, and LT differences were larger between the METB-DIG+1 and NCHD groups than between the METB-DIG and NCHD groups. In most cases, RT and PA decreased to a nadir and LT increased to a peak immediately before or after CD of HD, with a return to levels similar to the NCHD group within 7 d of CD. Absolute values and relative changes from 5 d before CD to the day of the nadir for RT and PA or peak for LT were different for cows in the METB-DIG and METB-DIG+1 group than for the NCHD group. For PA, the METB-DIG+1 group had greater changes than the METB-DIG group. For cows affected by metabolic-digestive disorders, RT, PA, and LT on the day of CD and resolution of clinical signs were different than for cows in the NCHD group, but an increase in RT and PA or a decrease in LT was observed from the day of CD to the day of resolution of clinical signs. We conclude that dairy cows diagnosed with metabolic-digestive disorders including displaced abomasum, clinical ketosis, and indigestion presented substantial alterations in the pattern of RT, PA, and LT captured by an ear-attached sensor. Thus, automated health monitoring systems based on ear-attached sensors might be used as an aid for identifying cows with metabolic-digestive disorders. Moreover, RT, PA, and LT changes after CD might be positive indicators of recovery from metabolic-digestive disorders.

Beverages containing Lactobacillus paracasei LC-37 improved functional dyspepsia through regulation of the intestinal microbiota and their metabolites.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common disease of the digestive system and probiotics have been reported to be effective in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the beverage containing Lactobacillus paracasei LC-37 (LC-37) and its ability to relieve symptoms of FD by a randomized clinical trial. Due to the mechanistic complexity underlying FD, intestinal microbiota and stool metabolomes were also evaluated. The results showed that FD was relieved in participants after treatment with the beverage containing LC-37 for 14 and 28 d. The clinical symptom scores were significantly decreased after these times (abdominal pain and belching were significantly decreased after 14 d and almost absent after 28 d of treatment). Probiotics, such as those containing the Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Weissella, significantly increased, and the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Lachnocliostridium significantly decreased. Furthermore, relevant beneficial intestinal metabolites such as pelargonic acid, benzoic acid, and short-chain fatty acids increased, and harmful intestinal metabolites such as hippuric acid decreased. Taken together, these findings suggested that the beverages containing LC-37 can increase the abundance of probiotics and decrease pathogenic bacteria, and thereby improve beneficial intestinal metabolites. Therefore, the beverages containing LC-37 may provide a natural alternative to combat FD.

Doenças do sistema digestório de pequenos ruminantes no norte do Paraná / Digestive disorders of small ruminants in northern Paraná

As doenças do sistema digestório de ovinos e caprinos no norte do Paraná foram avaliadas por meio de um estudo retrospectivo de 427 pequenos ruminantes atendidos no Ambulatório de Grandes Animais, do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, no período de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2015. Para isso, foi realizada revisão das fichas clínicas dos pequenos ruminantes com afecções do sistema digestório, determinando a ocorrência, principais características clínicas, tratamentos instituídos e evolução dos casos. Os dados foram tabulados e submetidos a um estudo descritivo das variáveis, observando a distribuição das frequências (%) das condições analisadas. As afecções do sistema digestório foram diagnosticadas em 38,64% (165/427) dos atendimentos realizados. Vinte e seis animais apresentaram duas afecções no momento do atendimento, totalizando 191 enfermidades diagnosticadas. Dentre essas enfermidades, as mais comumente diagnosticadas foram: hemoncose (27,7%; 53/191), acidose láctica ruminal aguda (18,8%; 36/191), eimeriose (13,6%; 26/191) e indigestão simples (6,8%; 13/191). O aumento da criação de ovinos e caprinos no estado do Paraná reitera a importância do desenvolvimento de estudos como o presente trabalho, a fim de identificar as enfermidades mais frequentes e preparar o médico veterinário para o diagnóstico e tratamento correto.

Sheep and Goat's digestive disorders in northern Paraná were evaluated by a retrospective study of 427 small ruminants treated at the State University of Londrina's Veterinary Hospital (HV-UEL), from January 2006 to December 2015. Analysis of medical records of small ruminants with digestive disorder were performed, determining the occurrence, main clinical signs, established treatments and outcome of cases. Data were tabulated and submitted to a descriptive study of variables, observing frequency distribution (%) of analyzed conditions. Digestive disorders occurs in 38,6% (165/427) of cases in small ruminants at the studied period. Among these diseases, the most common were: hemoncose (27.7%; 53/191), acute rumen lactic acidosis (18.8%; 36/191), eimeriosis (13.6%; 26/191) and simple indigestion (6.8%; 13/191). The increase in sheep and goats' flock in the state of Paraná reiterates the importance of developing studies such as the present study, in order to identify the most frequent diseases and prepare the veterinarian for the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Characterization of ruminal acidosis and initial phase of laminitis inducted by oligofructose in crossbred calves / Caracterização da acidose ruminal e da fase inicial da laminite induzidas por oligofrutose em bezerros mestiços

One of the ways to study cattle laminitis is its experimental induction by supplying a large amount of high fermentation carbohydrate. The most effective protocol until now has been the use of oligofructose. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical and histological aspects of the hoof in experimental induction of ruminal acidosis and laminitis in calves using oligofructose. Six crossbred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) yearling calves divided into Group I (GI) and Group II (GII) were used. Animals in GI and GII received intraruminal oligofructose in doses of 13 and 17g/kg, respectively. During 28 hours the calves were clinically evaluated and 30 hours after induction, samples were taken from coronary and abaxial wall of the hoof for histologic evaluation. Were noticed signs of ruminal and metabolic acidosis like rumen distension with fluid, diarrhea, ruminal pH reduction and, at blood gas analysis, pH and bicarbonate below reference range. Lameness was not observed however, some animals had a slower gait and apathy, possibly due to metabolic acidosis, though. Histologically, typical lesions of laminitis like circulatory changes and inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis, irregularities and areas of detachment at basement membrane and morphologic changes in cells from basal epidermis were found. The protocol induced, in the first 30 hours, clinical signs of ruminal and metabolic acidosis and low grade histologic lesions in the digits. Lameness and digit pain were not observed, characterizing the prodromic phase of the disease.(AU)

Uma das formas de se estudar a laminite bovina é sua indução experimental por meio do fornecimento de grande quantidade de carboidrato de alta fermentação. O protocolo mais eficaz até o momento foi o uso de oligofrutose. Objetivou-se avaliar aspectos clínicos e histológicos dos dígitos de bovinos na indução experimental de acidose ruminal e laminite usando oligofrutose. Utilizaram-se seis bezerros mestiços (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) de um ano, divididos em Grupo I (GI) e Grupo II (GII). Os animais em GI e GII receberam oligofrutose por via intrarruminal nas doses de 13 e 17g/kg respectivamente. Os bovinos foram avaliados clinicamente por 28 horas e fragmentos de coroa e muralha abaxial dos dígitos foram colhidos para histologia 30 horas após a indução. Foram identificados sinais de acidose ruminal e metabólica como distensão ruminal com líquido, diarreia e baixo pH ruminal. Os resultados de hemogasometria indicaram baixos pH e nível plasmático de bicarbonato. Os animais não apresentaram claudicação, entretanto, observaram-se apatia e marcha mais lenta, atribuídas à acidose metabólica. Histologicamente foram observadas lesões indicativas de laminite como alterações circulatórias e infiltrado inflamatório na derme, irregularidades e áreas de destacamento da membrana basal e alterações morfológicas de células da epiderme basal. O protocolo induziu, nas primeiras 30 horas, sinais de acidose ruminal e metabólica e lesões histológicas de baixa intensidade nos dígitos. Não foi observada claudicação ou sensibilidade nos dígitos, caracterizando a fase prodrômica da enfermidade.(AU)

Clinical findings and diagnostic procedures in 270 small ruminants with obstructive urolithiasis.

BACKGROUND: Details of the clinical signs of obstructive urolithiasis in male small ruminants have not been documented in a large population. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic procedures in a large group of small ruminants with urolithiasis. ANIMALS: Two hundred and seventy small ruminants (158 sheep and 112 goats). METHODS: Retrospective study of 270 cases identified based on clinical records. RESULTS: 81.2% affected goats were castrated and 91.7% sheep were intact males; 65.5% of the animals had been sick ≤2 days before referral. Common abnormalities included dysuria (93.6%), indigestion (84.4%), reduced general state of health (79.5%), signs of pain (73%), increased heart and respiratory rates (53.6% and 39.1%), and azotemia (89.4%). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.81). Hypochloremia (52.2%), hyponatremia (43.3%), hypophosphatemia (52.4%), and abnormal potassium concentrations (26.2% hypokalemia and 24.5% hyperkalemia) were the most common serum electrolyte imbalances. Packed cell volume (PCV), plasma proteins, potassium, BUN, and creatinine concentrations were significantly increased in animals with uroperitoneum. Ultrasonography allowed for confirmation of diagnosis in 83.9% of the cases (135/161 with sufficient available information), uroliths were visible on 34 of 56 plain radiographs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our study confirmed that clinical and ultrasonographic examinations are sufficient to diagnose urolithiasis. Clinical signs can be divided into an early stage with discrete unspecific clinical signs, a painful stage with frequent straining, expression of pain and moderately reduced general condition, and an advanced stage with a markedly reduced general condition and eventually recumbency.

Evaluation of milk components as diagnostic indicators for rumen indigestion in dairy cows.

OBJECTIVE To identify milk component alterations that might be useful for detecting cows with rumen indigestion. DESIGN Prospective case-control study. ANIMALS 23 Holstein cows with rumen indigestion (cases) and 33 healthy cohorts (controls) from 1 herd. PROCEDURES Cases were defined as cows between 30 and 300 days postpartum with a > 10% decrease in milk yield for 2 consecutive milkings or > 20% decrease in milk yield from the 10-day rolling mean during any milking, abnormally decreased rumen motility, and no other abnormalities. Each case was matched with 2 healthy cows (controls) on the basis of pen, parity, days postpartum, and mean milk yield. Some cows were controls for multiple cases. All cows underwent a physical examination and collection of a rumen fluid sample for pH measurement at study enrollment. Individual-cow milk yield and milk component data were obtained for the 16 milkings before and after study enrollment. Rumen motility and pH and milk components were compared between cases and controls. RESULTS Rumen motility for cases was decreased from that of controls. Cases had an abrupt increase in milk fat percentage and the milk fat-to-lactose ratio during the 2 milkings immediately before diagnosis of rumen indigestion. Receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed that a 10% increase in the milk fat-to-lactose ratio had the highest combined sensitivity (57%) and specificity (85%) for identifying cows with rumen indigestion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that a positive deviation in the milk fat-to-lactose ratio might be useful for identifying cows with rumen indigestion.

Correlation between villous height and the disaccharidase activity in the small intestine of piglets from nursing to growing.

Early weaning induces villous atrophy in the small intestine. Reduction in villous height in the small intestine after weaning is associated with reductions in brush-border enzyme activity. Body weight gain after weaning is, therefore, correlated with villous height. This evidence suggested that the maintenance of small intestinal structure and function after weaning is important for the growth of young pigs. On the other hand, the relationship between villous height and the activity of the digestive enzymes in the small intestine has not been studied with piglets from the suckling to the growing period. Five suckling piglets, four piglets in the proximal stage of weaning, four pigs in the distal stage of weaning and four growing pigs were used. The activities of lactase (LA), sucrase (SA) and maltase (MA) were determined. LA showed a positive correlation with villous height in weaning. SA and MA were positively correlated with villous height from suckling to growing. In a previous study, non-infectious dyspeptic diarrhea was frequently observed in growing piglets on Japanese swine farms. The maintenance of villous height to retain disaccharidase activity may prevent dyspepsic diarrhea in this stage.

Compactação primária do abomaso em 14 bovinos no estado de Pernambuco / Primary abomasal impaction in 14 cattle from Pernambuco State, northeastern Brazil

Apesar de forragens grosseiras e secas serem empregadas comumente na alimentação de vacas em várias regiões, especialmente durante o período seco, a compactação primária do abomaso tem sido pouco relatada no Brasil, provavelmente pela dificuldade de diagnóstico dos veterinários de campo. Este trabalho objetivou realizar um estudo retrospectivo sobre a compactação primária do abomaso em 14 bovinos no Estado de Pernambuco. Oito casos considerados moderados, sem grave distensão abdominal e sem compactação do rúmen, foram tratados conservativamente e quatro casos graves, com severa distensão abdominal e compactação do rúmen, foram tratados cirurgicamente. Um touro foi encaminhado para abate e uma vaca morreu antes de receber qualquer tratamento. O maior número de casos de compactação do abomaso ocorreu em bovinos da raça Holandesa com seis casos (42,9 por cento), seguido por animais mestiços com cinco casos (35,8 por cento) e as raças Pardo-Suiça, Nelore e Marchigiana com um caso cada (21,3 por cento). A composição da alimentação oferecida caracterizou-se por conter fibra de baixa qualidade e variou bastante dentre os casos. Os sinais clínicos mais frequentes foram comportamento apático, desidratação, timpanismo ruminal associado à hipomotilidade, distensão abdominal, hipomotilidade intestinal e fezes escassas ou ausentes com presença de muco. Os achados hematológicos revelaram, na maioria dos casos, leucocitose por neutrofilia e hiperfibrinogenemia. Na análise do fluido ruminal havia comprometimento da dinâmica da flora e fauna microbiana, e elevação no teor de cloreto. O índice de recuperação clínica (4/8) e cirúrgica (2/4) observado neste estudo foi de 50 por cento. As condutas clínica e cirúrgica permanecem como opções viáveis para o tratamento das compactações leves e severas, entretanto o prognóstico é considerado reservado, principalmente quando associado à gestação avançada.

Despite the frequent use of dry and fibrous roughage for feeding cows in many regions, especially during the dry season, impaction of the abomasum has been poorly reported in Brazil, probably because the condition is misdiagnosed by practitioners. The present paper aimed to accomplish a retrospective study on primary abomasal impaction in 14 cattle from Pernambuco State, northeastern Brazil. Eight moderate cases, without severe abdominal distention and with no rumen compaction, were treated conservatively, and four severe cases, with severe abdominal distention and rumen compaction, were treated surgically. One bull was slaughtered and one cow died without treatment. The greater number of abomasal impaction cases was in Holstein cows with six cases (42.9 percent), followed by crossbred cattle with five cases (35.8 percent), and the breeds Brown-Swiss, Nelore and Marchigiana, each with one case (21.3 percent). The food composition was characterized by low quality fibers and varied greatly among cases. Most frequent clinical signs were apathy, dehydration, hypomotility and ruminal bloat, intestinal hypomotility and scanty or absent feces with mucus. The hematological findings revealed leukocytosis with neutrophilia and hyperfibrinogenemia in most cases. Ruminal fluid analysis showed compromised flora and fauna dynamics and increased chlorine ion concentration. Clinical (4/8) and chirurgical (2/4) recovery rate achieved 50 percent. The clinical and chirurgical methods remain as viable options for the treatment of light and severe impaction, but the prognosis is always reserved especially when associated to late pregnancy.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of reticular motility in 144 cattle with vagal indigestion.

The reticular motility in 144 cattle with vagal indigestion was evaluated by ultrasonography; 97 had proximal functional stenosis (reticulo-omasal stenosis) and 47 had distal functional stenosis (pyloric stenosis). A 3.5 MHz linear transducer was used to measure the frequency, amplitude, duration and speed of the reticular contractions per three minutes while the animals were standing and unsedated. The mean (sd) number of contractions per three minutes was 4.3 (2.09) with a range from 0 to 12; nine of the cattle had one or two contractions, 17 had three contractions, 59 had four or five contractions, 37 had more than five contractions and 12 had reticular atony. The cattle with proximal functional stenosis had 4.6 (2.01) contractions per three minutes, significantly more (P<0.05) than those with distal functional stenosis (3.6 [2.16]). The position, contour and size of the reticulum, the amplitude and speed of the contractions and the area surrounding the reticulum did not differ significantly between the two groups.

An epidemiological survey on pigs showing symptoms of infectious enteric diseases and dyspepsia in Japan.

Diarrhea in pigs has the potential to have a serious economic impact on the swine industry. Previously, we suggested that the likely cause of the presence of non-infectious diarrhea in pigs characterized by lactate accumulation was dyspepsia. In this experiment, the prevalence of enteropathogens and hyper-lactate accumulation in feces of piglets in 4 distinct growth stages was examined. The feces were collected when veterinarian experts recognized abnormalities in sporadic outbreaks. Prevalence of enteropathogens in diarrheal feces was 100% in fattening pigs (FP), 75% in weaning pigs (WP), 50% in suckling pigs (SP), and 42% in growing pigs (GP). Prevalence of enteropathogens in loose feces was 53% in WP, 50% in SP, 40% in FP, and 28% in GP. Prevalence of hyper-lactate accumulation in diarrheal feces was 33% in GP, 33% in SP, 25% in WP, and 25% in FP. Prevalence of hyper-lactate accumulation in loose feces was 40% in GP, 0% in SP, 7% in WP, and 5% in FP. Accordingly, non-infectious dyspepsia is frequent in growing pigs. In this period, pigs are potentially exposed to needless antimicrobial therapeutic treatments in sporadic cases.

[Fatty acid spectrum in the blood plasma, intestine, liver, and kidney tissues of calves with dyspepsia and method of its correction].

The possibility of correction of fatty acid content of the blood plasma, intestine, liver and kidneys in 1 month-old calves which have suffered from dyspepsia by application of biologically active additive which contained a mixture of sunflower oil fatty acids and phospholipids is shown.

[New approach in the treatment of newborn calves' dyspepsia and its controlling by the analysis of phospholipids of blood].

It's known that in newborn calves with dyspepsia in lipids leucocytes, erythrocytes, plasma and serum extracted from blood occur violation of parity between separate classes phospholipids in compare with healthy calves. It's revealed increasing of lipophosphatidilholin, sphingomielin, phosphatidilholin and decreasing of amount of phosphatidilserin, lizophosphatidic and phosphatidic acids in quantitative contents of phospholipids extracted from blood components. Indicated violations could be recovered after the treatment of ill calves by enterosgel in doze, which we developed and tested.

[Acid-base state of blood in calves with dyspepsia treated using different therapeutic approaches].

As a result of our investigations it has been found, that the state of sub-compensated respiratory-metabolic acidosis with gradual recovery of electrolytic composition of blood serum was observed in calves which have had dyspepsia by the 30th day of life. At the same time in calves, which obtained milk phospholipids in a form of biologically active additive FLP-MD, more rapid recovery of acid-base balance of blood was diagnosed. The mentioned above was proved by the presence of compensated metabolic acidosis with simultaneous stabilization of blood serum electrolytic composition in calves which obtained biologically active additive FLP-MD.

[Changes of carbohydrate metabolism indices in calves with dyspepsia treated with milk phospholipids].

The paper deals with a possibility of correction of the data of carbohydrate metabolism in one-month-old calves recovered after dyspepsia using biologically-active additive based on milk phospholipids.

[Effect of the reparative therapy on indices of lipid and phospholipid spectra of the blood plasma during neonathal enteropathology in calves].

The paper deals with dynamics peculiarities of quantitave changes of the same classes of lipid and phospholipid spectra of blood plasma of calves which have recovered from dyspepsia. The obtained reliable changes of blood plasma lipidogrammas testify to development of dyslipidhaemia, hypercholesterolhaemia and hyperthreacylglycerolhaemia as well as the deficiency of choline fractions of phosphatide--main structural components of cell membranes. It was established that changes of lipid and phospholipid spectrum of the blood plasma caused by enteropathology could be corrected by the inclusion of reparative therapy remedies to dyspepsia treatment plan, in particular, experimental phospholipids-containing remedy, which is prepared on the basis of milk phospholipids--their natural source for newborn calves.

[Intensity of lipids peroxidation and state of antioxidant protective system in calves, which have had dyspepsia]. / Intensyvnist' lipoperoksydatsiï i stan antyoksydantnoï systemy zakhystu v teliat, perekhvorivshykh na dyspepsiiu.

The intensive development of lipids peroxidation with simultaneous deficit of antioxidant protective factors in organism of calves, which have had neonathal enteropathology was shown. The effectiveness of phospolipid preparation FLP-MD, which makes antioxidant protective mechanisms stronger during this pathological state, and may be recommended as a drug for reparation therapy in complex scheme of dyspepsia medical treatment and proves a necessity of the antioxidant preparations application.

[Activation of reparative processes by phospholipid preparation in the affected organs and tissues in neonathal enteropathology of calves]. / Aktyvatsiia fosfolipidnym preparatom reparatyvnykh protsesiv v urazhenykh orhanakh i tkanynakh pry enteropatolohiï novonarodzhenykh teliat.

The peculiarities of dynamics of quantitative changes of some classes of lipid and phospholipid spectra of blood plasma of calves recovered after dyspepsia were studied. Obtained reliable changes of the blood plasma lipidogrammas testify to development of dyslipidemia. It is characterized by hypercholesterolemia and hypertriacylglycerolemia of recovered 30 days old calves 3 weeks after diseases symptoms past. These changes give evidence concerning deficiency of phosphatides choline fraction - main structural components of cell membranes. It was established that changes of lipid and phospholipid spectra of blood plasma caused by enteropathology can be corrected by the inclusion of reparative therapy preparations to dyspepsia treatment plan in particular--experimental phospholipid containing a drug, which is prepared on the basis of milk phospholipids--its natural source for newborn calves.

Organic acid profiles in feces of pigs with pathogenic or non-pathogenic diarrhea.

A chemical characteristic of the feces of diarrheal piglets permits differentiation among piglets receiving antibiotic treatment and those with colibacillosis or dyspepsia. A high concentration of lactic or succinic acid was observed in the diarrheic feces of piglets receiving antibiotic treatments and those with dyspepsia; however, no lactic or succinic acids were detected in piglets with colibacillosis. There was, however, little difference in the total concentration of organic acids among the three types of diarrheal illnesses. A quantitative analysis of lactic and succinic acids in diarrheic feces might provide a means for rapidly differentiating between colibacillosis and non-pathogenic diarrheas in piglets.

Etiology, forms, and prognosis of gastrointestinal dysfunction resembling vagal indigestion occurring after surgical correction of right abomasal displacement.

The objectives of this study were to determine the etiology and types of vagal indigestion (VI) occurring after right displacement of the abomasum or abomasal volvulus (RDA/AV), and the prognosis for each type. Data of cows presented for RDA/AV from a retrospective (n = 288) and a prospective (n = 132) study were used. Vagal indigestion occurred in 39 and 22 cows in each study, respectively. A necropsy was performed in 29 cases. Gastric compartment dilation compatible with VI type III or IV occurred in 23 cases. An abnormal gastric wall was detected in 22 cases. Peritonitis was present in 18 cows. Vagal nerve lesions were present in 5 out of 13 cases studied. Clinical, hematological, and necropsy results suggested a classification of VI with respect to presence or absence of peritonitis. Gastric wall damage, peritonitis and vagal nerve lesions appear important in the etiology. Considering peritonitis occurrence, antimicrobial therapy appears necessary in the treatment of RDA/AV.

Clinical, haematological and biochemical findings in milk-fed calves with chronic indigestion.

The principal clinical signs in 59 milk-fed calves with chronic indigestion were general malaise and depression, poor appetite, poor body condition, dehydration, a dull and scaly hair coat, alopecia and clay-like faeces. All the calves had metabolic acidosis, which was associated with an inability to stand up in more than half of them. There were significant differences in the severity of acidosis between the calves that could stand and those that could not. Other signs in some of the calves were dehydration, leucocytosis, and increased activities of liver enzymes.