Internal reflux in cattle--studies of the abomasal reflux syndrome in various diseases of the digestive system
Braun, U.; Eicher, R.; Bracher, V.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 130(5): 225-236
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 3399864 Document Number: 309659
The abomasal reflux syndrome is caused chiefly by left or right displacement of the abomasum or by pyloric stenosis, but it may also occur following some small-intestinal obstruction or following a long-standing caecal dilatation. Changes in haematological values and ruminal fluid components were studied in 104 cows with caecal dilatation, 59 cows with abomasal displacement and 25 normal cows. The general picture was ruminal acidosis, a cessation of acid flow into the small intestine and of chloride ion absorption from the intestine into the blood. This resulted in hypochloraemia, with the build-up of bicarbonate ion concentration in the blood causing a metabolic alkalosis. Clinically, there was dehydration, impairment of heart function and blood circulation, and weakness with apathy. There is a significant correlation between serum chloride concentrations and the rate of cure. Cows with chloride concentrations above 80 mmol/litre have a 74% good prognosis, but when the concentrations fall below this level prognosis rapidly becomes more grave. Chloride concentrations in ruminal fluid and serum, and bicarbonate and potassium concentrations in serum all help to differentiate between the different causes of disturbance of the abomasal flow and promote more accurate therapy and prognosis.