Clinical signs

CLINICAL SIGNS
  • Speed of onset of illness varies with the nature of feed, being more rapid With ground feed than whole grain.
  • Severity increases with the amount of Feed taken.
  • Within few hours of engorgement: Distended rumen, abdominal discomfort, Kicking at belly.
  • Mild form: anorectic, bright and alert and soft feces and reduced ruminal movements. Rumination absent and begin to eat normally after 3-4 days.
  • Severe form:  within 24- 48 hrs animals become recumbent, staggering and stand-alone. Anorectic, apathetic, depressed. Grinding of Teeth and do not drink water,  noticed in sheep, but cattle engorge with water if it is readily available.
  • Depression, dehydration, inactivity, weakness, abdominal distension,  Temp below normal, increased H/R.  Shallow respiration. Diarrhoea is profuse with kernels of grain. Dehydration is severe and progressive. Anuria is a common finding
  • Pitched tinkling and gurgling sounds are audible in auscultation. Ruminal Fluid is milky green to olive brown color and has pungent acid smell.  pH of rumen is below 5.
  • Severely affected animal: Staggering drunken gait and impaired eyesight. They bump into object and palpebral reflex sluggish. Acute laminitis with animal lame in all four feet
  • Recumbency after 48 hrs. Lie quietly with heads turned into the flank. A rapid onset of recumbency suggests an unfavorable prognosis. Evidence of improvement include fall in H/R , rise in temp, return of ruminal movements and passage of large amount of soft feces.
  • Mycotic rumentitis may occur 
  • Chronic laminitis for severe months or weeks or abortion in pregnant cattle
  • Sub acute ruminal acidosis in dairy cattle; laminitis, intermittent diarrhea, Sub optimal feed intake, liver abscess, haemoptysis, epistaxis and pulmonary haemorrhage. Laminitis is characterized by ridges in dorsal hoof wall, sole ulceration white line lesion, sole hemorrhage end misshapen hooves.
Last modified: Monday, 28 May 2012, 7:25 AM