Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

TREATMENT

• Correction of ruminal and systemic acidosis and prevention of further lactic acid production.
• Restoration of fluid and electrolyte loses and maintenance of circulating blood volume
• Restoration of fore stomach and intestinal motility to normal.

Prevention of further access to feed

• Not providing water for 12- 24 hours orally
• Supply of good quality of palatable hay ½ the quantity of daily ration
• Exercise to promote movement of ingesta through digestive tract.
• After 18- 24 hours those cattle which continue to eat hay may be allowed to free access of water.

Rumenotomy

• In severe cases (recumbency severe depression, hypothermia, prominent ruminal distension with fluid, H/R 110-130/mt and pH of 5 or below)

Sodium bicarbonate

• Systemic acidosis is treated with IV solutions of 5% sodium bicarbonate @ 5l for 450 kg animal over a period of 30 minutes. Followed by 1.3% sodium bicarbonate at150ml/kg body weight IV over next 6-12 hrs.
• Following rumenotomy, and fluid therapy animal show improved muscular strength and begin to urinate within one hour and attempt to stand within 6-12 hrs.

Rumen lavage

• In less severe cases standing depressed H/R 90-100/mt moderate distension and pH 5-6. Warm water is pumped until LPF is distended and rumen is allowed to empty by gravity flow.
• Alkalinizing agents: 500g of Mg hydroxide per 450 kg animal or Ma oxide in 10 litres of warm water pumped into rumen and kneading done.

Ancillary therapy

• Antihistamines for laminitis, NSAID for shock therapy, thiamin or brewer’s yeast to promote lactic acid metabolism, parasympathomimetic for stimulation of gut motility. Calcium borogluconate for hypocalcemia.
• Oral tetracycline to control growth of lactic acid producing bacteria .
• Following treatment the animals should begin eating hay by third day and some ruminal movements should be present, pass large quantities of feces and maintain hydration.