Eosinophilic rumenitis in intensively reared lambs
Piercy, D.W.; Kemp, J.
Veterinary Record 126(8): 195
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 2316151 Document Number: 353942
PM examination of lambs 3.5-4 months of age slaughtered during and at the end of a nutritional trial revealed alternate pink and blanched areas on the serosal surface of the rumen in several lambs. The lambs were housed on straw and reared on an intensive finishing ration. The ration of some but not all of the affected lambs was supplemented with microbial protein. Histological changes seen in the rumen were papillary hypertrophy, swelling and vacuolation of epithelial cells, ulceration of the stratum corneum and neutrophil infiltration. Inflammatory changes were seen throughout all the layers of the rumen. A large number of eosinophils were present especially in the thickened submucosa but also in the lamina propria and tunica muscularis. It is suggested that the rumenitis may have been due to the ingestion of excess carbohydrate induced by an acidosis which was caused by insufficient dietary fibre. As there was no evidence of parasite infection the infiltration of eosinophils could suggest a reaginic response to dietary allergen absorbed through the compromised rumen mucosa.