VPT 311: General and Systemic Veterinary Pharmacology (2+1)

RUMINOTORICS

• Ruminotorics are agents and mixtures that promote forestomach function (fermentation and motility).
• Typically such mixtures consist bitters like nuxvomica to stimulate salivation and perhaps ruminal contractions,
• alkalinizing compounds like magnesium oxide to elevate a low ruminal fluid pH,
• galactogenic substance like glycerol,
• minerals like cobalt as co-factors for microbial enzyme function and
• salts like phosphate as buffers to maintain osmolality.
• Bitters: (e.g: nux vomica, ginger, capsicum)- stimulate salivation which may enhance rumen function, however, the efficacy of bitters is minimal. Bitters are administered orally.
• Cholinergics (e.g: neostigmine, bethenachol)- transiently increase the frequency, but not the strength , of contractions in rumen atony. Cholinergics are administered subcutaneously.
• Opiate antagonists (e.g: naloxone)- stimulate extrinsic contractions when administered parenterally. Opiate antagonists are useful for the treatment of endotoxin-induced rumen stasis.
• Rumen fluid transfer - Oral inoculation of viable rumen bacteria and protozoa is the most effective means of restoring rumen function following correction of the primary cause of stasis