A beneficial response cannot be expected in <24 hr; in cattle that respond, improvement is usually seen by the end of day 3 after treatment begins. Impaction with sand can occur if cattle are fed hay or silage on sandy soils, or root crops that are sandy or dirty. Impaction of the abomasum may be severe enough to cause irreversible abomasal atony.Complete anorexia, scant feces, moderate distention of the abdomen, weight loss, and weakness are usually the initial signs of dietary abomasal impaction. Additionally, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) can be injected once into the abomasum during standing right flank laparotomy at 60–100 mL of a 25% solution for a 1,000-lb (450-kg) animal. The rumen is enlarged and may be hypermotile (early) or atonic (late).
Deep palpation and strong percussion of the right flank may indicate the presence of a large, firm mass (impacted abomasum) and elicit a grunt (as is common in acute traumatic reticuloperitonitis), probably because of distention of the abomasum and stretching of its serosa.Severely affected cattle die 3–6 days after the onset of signs.
Dehydration, alkalosis, electrolyte imbalance, and progressive starvation are seen. Impaction also has been seen in feedlot cattle fed a variety of mixed rations containing chopped or ground roughage (straw, hay) and cereal grains and in late-pregnancy dairy cows on similar feeds. Body temperature is usually normal but may be subnormal during cold weather.
Varying degrees of dehydration and emaciation are also present. Cows that are weak, have a severely impacted abomasum, and have a marked tachycardia (100–120 bpm) are poor treatment risks. Congenital cleft palate nursing, foal
Cows that are weak, have a severely impacted abomasum, and have a marked tachycardia (100–120 bpm) are poor treatment risks. In dairy cattle in early lactation, typically only the pyloric antrum is impacted.Clinical diagnosis of dietary abomasal impaction is based on the nutritional history, clinical evidence of impaction, and laboratory results. A mucoid nasal discharge tends to collect at the external nares and on the muzzle; the muzzle is usually dry and cracked, caused by both the failure of the animal to lick its nostrils and the effects of dehydration.
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Last full review/revision May 2014 | Content last modified May 2014
It is more common in pregnant or young cattle of less than 8 yr of age. Often colic is due to a problem within the gastrointestinal tract, however the peritoneum (tissue lining the abdomen), reproductive tract, and/or urinary tract can also be involved. View All News >
Impaction is of two types.
Deep palpation and strong percussion of the right flank may indicate the presence of a large, firm mass (impacted abomasum) and elicit a grunt (as is common in acute traumatic reticuloperitonitis), probably because of distention of the abomasum and stretching of its serosa.Severely affected cattle die 3–6 days after the onset of signs. The heart rate may be increased, and mild dehydration is common.Most often, the rumen is static and distended with dry contents, but it may contain excess fluid if the cow has been fed finely ground feed. © 2020 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA)
Lubricants can be used in an attempt to move the impacted material; it is necessary to empty the abomasum surgically only in cattle with severe impaction. The GI tract beyond the pylorus is characteristically empty and has a dry appearance. Body temperature is usually normal but may be subnormal during cold weather.
Lubricants can be used in an attempt to move the impacted material; it is necessary to empty the abomasum surgically only in cattle with severe impaction. If the abomasum has ruptured, lesions of acute diffuse peritonitis are present. Based on the analysis, grain is usually added to the ration to meet energy and protein requirements.The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955
Rumen impaction is a condition which results from the accumulation of the indigestible materials in the rumen which interferes with the flow of ingesta leading to distension of the rumen and passing of scanty or no feces (Abdullahi et al., 1984). The omasum may be similarly enlarged and impacted. Tables (0)
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© 2020 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA