Ultrasonographic imaging of abomasal milk clotting and abomasal diameter in healthy and diarrheic calves

Abstract

In case of diarrhea calves are treated with oral rehydration solutions (ORS), which are known to increase abomasal pH and inhibit milk clotting in vitro. Nevertheless, recent studies have shown that ORS with HCO3(-) ≤ 62 mmol/L do not interfere with abomasal milk clotting in healthy calves. However, in diarrheic calves, feeding ORS and milk simultaneously may disturb abomasal curd formation and exacerbate diarrhea due to faster abomasal passage of ingesta. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to ultrasonographically examine abomasal milk clotting and diameter after feeding milk and milk replacer (MR) with and without ORS to healthy and diarrheic calves. Abomasal curd formation and diameter in healthy and diarrheic calves were ultrasonographically imaged before and after feeding milk, MR and ORS prepared in milk or MR. Feeding mixtures of milk or MR with ORS did not cause any remarkable differences in the ultrasonographic images of abomasal content. Moreover, abomasal milk clotting was not disturbed due to diarrhea. Statistically significant differences of abomasal diameter after feeding between healthy and diarrheic calves indicated that abomasal emptying is delayed in diarrheic calves. Hence, further studies are needed to determine reasons for decelerated abomasal passage in calves suffering from diarrhea.

Abomasal emptying rate of diarrhoeic and healthy suckling calves fed with oral rehydration solutions

“…Hypertonic bicarbonate solutions or milk replacers delayed emptying compared with isotonic bicarbonate solutions, which highlights that osmolality has a delaying effect on AER. Likewise, the impact of osmolality on AER has been discussed by Kirchner et al (), who found changes in abomasal diameter after feeding different ORS protocols to calves with naturally occurring diarrhoea. In addition, by the ORS supplementation a 10% higher energy intake had been added to the diet.…”

“…In contrast, the administration of ORS mixed in milk replacer did not impair milk clotting (Bachmann et al, , ; Kirchner et al, ).…”

“…Data analysis was performed by a statistical software program (Statistica 7.1, StatSoft). Power analysis was performed by using abomasal emptying rates in healthy and diarrhoeic calves using ultrasonographic imaging as described by Kirchner et al (). A minimum number of 12 calves had been calculated to detect significant differences.…”

“…During an episode of diarrhoea, calves lose large amounts of water and electrolytes, which may lead to the inability to suckle, lethargy, metabolic acidosis and circulatory disorders. Kirchner et al () recently described delayed abomasal emptying during diarrhoea in suckling calves. According to these findings, a delay in abomasal emptying and changes in intraluminal conditions, such as temperature, were confirmed by using an acetaminophen absorption test (APAT) and a telemetric device in diarrhoeic calves (Hildebrandt et al, ).…”

Measurement of abomasal conditions (pH, pressure and temperature) in healthy and diarrheic dairy calves using a wireless ambulatory capsule

“…Furthermore, diarrhea results in poor growth performance and increases the susceptibility to other infections (Windeyer et al, 2014). Kirchner et al (2015) recently reported that neonatal diarrhea affects abomasal motility, which consequently delays the abomasal emptying rate (AER) after milk intake. Impaired abomasal motility may increase bacterial fermentation and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (Nouri and Constable, 2006), and luminal temperature may rise as a result of bacterial fermentation.…”