VPB 121: Veterinary Physiology - II (2+1)

AUSCULTATION OF RUMINO-RETICULAR SOUNDS

• Auscultation of the ruminal and reticular sounds indicate the nature of the intraluminal contents and the frequency and amplitude of the ruminal and reticular movements.

Procedure

• Secure the ruminant animal in a trevis.
• Place the chest piece of the stethoscope and observe fluid gurgling/crackling ruminal sounds in the left paralumbar fossa followed by the pronounced gassy sounds.
• Keep the chest piece of the stethoscope at the ventral aspect of the left side, just 6 to 8 fingers above the sternum near 6^th, 7^th and 8^th intercostal spaces and observe a faint fluid sound of the reticulum
• The rumen sounds of the normal animal consuming roughage are booming-crackling sounds.
• Fluid splashing sounds indicates grain overload, atonic rumen associated with prolonged anorexia.
• In case of bloat, impaction, vagal indigestion and acute traumatic reticuloperitonitis, no sound may be heard.

Auscultating rumino reticular sounds