Abomasitis

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Abomasitis (abomasal bloat) is a relatively rare ruminant disease characterized by inflammation of abomasum usually caused by larval development [1] in young calves, lambs, and goat kids. It occurs with gastroenteritis, but can also be a side effect of other diseases. However, it is seldom diagnosed as a separate condition.

Contents

Signs and symptoms

A characteristic sign is the swollen abomasum wall, which can also be necrotic and hemorrhagic. Edema in the mucosa may also occur. [2]

Symptoms include anorexia, the bloat of the abdomen, colic and diarrhea. The animals can seem passive and weak. Another sign can be that the affected animal separates itself from the herd. Without treatment, the animal can die in a very short period of time. [3]

Cause

Abomasitis can be caused by several factors:

Diagnosis

There are no diagnostic methods to identify abomasitis in living animals. A post-mortem necropsy of the intestines is needed. [3]

Treatment

Treatment should start immediately via oral and intravenous medication. [3] The diet should be reduced. [7]

The animal should also be treated with antibiotics to prevent intestinal bacteria spreading to other organs. Colloids can also help in severe cases. In cases when an animal has a lot of fluid in the abomasum, a gastric-rumen tube should be used to help extract the extra fluid. A special abomasum puncture can help if the abdomen is swollen with gas or air. This technique has only been tested in lambs, not in calves. In the early stages of the disease, rolling the calf over and puncturing the abomasum can help the calf recover. If the animal does not respond to the treatments, a surgery should be performed to remove damaged tissue and excess fluid from the abomasum. [7] [8]

Fatality rate

The exact fatality rate is uncertain. However, it is assumed to be very high due to the inherently late diagnosis of the disease. [8]

Prevention

There are no reliable prevention methods. However, it is recommended to disinfect all the equipment the calves are regularly in contact with to prevent the spreading of bacteria. Furthermore, it is recommended to improve the feeding situation, like switching from bucket to bottle-feeding, or to make sure that the feeding milk is at body temperature. [8] In some cases, a regular immunization of exposed animals can prevent abomasitis. [4]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Displaced abomasum</span>

Displaced abomasum in cattle occurs when the abomasum, also known as the true stomach, which typically resides on the floor of the abdomen, fills with gas and rises to the top of the abdomen, where it is said to be ‘displaced’. When the abomasum moves from its normal position it prevents the natural passage of gas and feed through the digestive system, creating a restriction. As cattle are ruminants, which have a 4 chambered stomach composed of a rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum. Ruminants require this specialized digestive system in order to properly process and break down their high fiber and cellulose rich diets. As this type of digestive system is quite complex it is at a greater risk for incidence. Due to the natural anatomy of cattle it is more common to have the abomasum displace to the left, known as a left-displaced abomasum, than to the right, right-displaced abomasum. When the abomasum becomes displaced there also becomes a chance of an abomasal volvulus, twist, developing. An abomasal volvulus occurs when the abomasum, which is already out of place, will rotate and cut off blood and nutrient supply to the abomasum. Cattle which develop an abomasal twist require immediate vet attention to regain blood supply and food passage through the digestive system or the abomasum will begin to shut down due to lack of blood supply and toxicity development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beef cattle vaccination in Australia</span>

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References

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  2. Schamber, G.J.; Berg, I.E.; Molesworth, J.R. (April 1986). "Braxy or Bradsot-like Abomastitis Caused by Clostridium septicum in a Calf". The Canadian Veterinary Journal. 27 (4): 194. ISSN   0008-5286. PMC   1680202 . PMID   17422653.
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  5. Glenn Songer, J.; Miskimins, Dale W. (2005-10-01). "Clostridial abomasitis in calves: Case report and review of the literature". Anaerobe. 11 (5): 290–294. doi:10.1016/j.anaerobe.2004.12.004. ISSN   1075-9964. PMC   7111123 . PMID   16701586.
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