Esophageal groove dysfunction: a cause of ruminal bloat in newborn calves

Abstract

BackgroundEsophageal groove dysfunction is one of the major causes of ruminal bloat. This condition is fatal in new born calves if it is not treated early. In healthy, suckling calves, milk should bypass the forestomach (rumen and reticulum) and enter into the abomasum where enzymatic digestion of milk proteins takes place. However, failure of the esophageal groove allows milk to enter into the forestomach, which results in the production of excess gases by microbial fermentation. Consequently, this increase in abdominal distention particularly on the left side in ruminants is an imminent manifestation of excess gases in the foresomach.Case presentationA 10-day-old crossbred male calf presented with a distended left abdomen and manifesting dyspnea at a dairy farm. The calf was weak, reluctant to move, and had visibly congested mucus membranes. Regarding the calf’s feeding, milk was the only thing ingested and the calf had not started on dry feeds (hay, concentrates, and roughages). According to the herdsman of the farm, the calf had a mild-to-moderate form of bloat and 3–5 h after milk feeding the bloat would disappear spontaneously. During bloat, an increase in pulse rate, respiratory rate (tachypnea), and shallow breathing was noted. Physical examination revealed severe distention of the left side of the abdomen, and on percussion, accumulation of gases mixed with fluid in the left abdomen was detected. An attempt was made to release gases from forestomach by introducing a stomach tube with oral antibiotics; however, the case was not resolved. The calf suffered from frequent recurrence of bloat after every milk feed, and in response to the refractory outcome to conventional treatment, a rumenostomy was indicated and a better treatment response was achieved. In addition, IV fluid and other supportive therapy were provided while milk was withheld. However, considering the fact that milk is a natural feed that should not be taken away from every calf at this age, we had to encourage calf to consume milk as it would not result in bloat as far as rumen fistula is being created. Furthermore, encouraging calves to consume starter feed (fresh grasses and hay) earlier than usual recommended period whilst decreasing milk intake would hasten the rumen function.ConclusionsCases like this are successfully managed by a rumenostomy when conventional options fail.

The adoption of good practices of handling improves dairy calves welfare: Case study

“…Results from previous studies also indicated that the use of open-pails to milk-feed of dairy calves increase the risk of harming their welfare, since under such conditions calves are not able to express proper suckling behaviour, resulting in motivational and physiological disturbances, characterized by the expression of crosssuckling (abnormal) behaviour (de Passillé, 2001) and when the oesophageal groove close incompletely (Martín-Alonso et al, 2018). Thus, it is likely that using nipple-pails after the GPH adoption has contributed to reduce calves frustration (de Passillé, 2001), and to improve milk digestion, either by preventing milk from being fermented in the rumen (Kaba, Abera, & Kass, 2018) or by enhancing the production of digestive Acta Scientiarum. Animal Sciences, v. 43, e53327, 2021 enzymes (stimulated by suckling), which reduce the risk of osmotic diarrhoea caused by milk fermentation in the intestines (Quigley lll, Drewry, Murray, & Ivey, 1997).…”

Acute Ruminal Drinking in a 2-week old Male Friesian Crossbred Calf

“…However, the abrupt weaning of calves unto hay and concentrates should curb the calves' condition that fails to respond to these measures (Breukink et al, 1988). Severe chronic cases of associated bloat might require rumenostomy (Kaba et al, 2018). Ruminal drinking is a recognizable and preventable condition on cattle farms with early diagnosis and treatment or appropriate management practices.…”

“…Oesophageal groove dysfunction in calves entirely on the milk diet might lead to the spillage of the ingested milk into the reticulo-rumen instead of directly into the abomasum resulting in a condition known as ruminal drinking (RD) or reticulo-rumen milk accumulation (Dirr and Dirksen, 1989;Adetunji et al, 2016). The condition may predispose affected calves to fermentative ruminal acidosis (Gentile et al, 2004), including rumen mucosal ulceration and necrosis, maldigestion, and recurrent tympany or bloat (Gentile, 2004;Adetunji et al, 2016;Kaba et al, 2018). Despite reports of RD cases in calves, there is a paucity of information on its exact pathogenesis (Breukink et al, 1988).…”

Gut Microbiota and Their Role in Health and Metabolic Disease of Dairy Cow

“…Esophagus obstructions (external particles cloths and fruit material, etc. ), cysts, blisters, tumors, thoracic or cervical enlargement, reticular dysfunction, and hypocalcemia are major conditions affecting gas belching ( 100 – 102 ). Frothy bloat is the result of feed ingestion, which continuously produces froth that cannot be easily expelled from the stomach.…”