Fecal occult blood tests in cattle
Payton, A.J.; Glickman, L.T.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 41(6): 918-921
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 7436079 Document Number: 160915
Three methods for fecal occult blood detection were evaluated in mature cows. Bovine blood (heparinized) was infused directly into the abomasum of mature nonlactating rumen-fistulated cows. After administration of the blood, feces from the cows were periodically collected, tested, stored, and retested. Sensitivity for two of the three methods was optimal at 2 days of storage, regardless of temperature at storage. A dilute alcoholic solution of guaiac was the most sensitive and reproducible method. In vitro tests demonstrated that guaiac solution could detect a quantity of blood comparable with a daily blood loss of 69 to 75 ml. In addition, the minimal transit time of blood from abomasum to rectum was measured and ranged from 7 to 19 hours.