Experimental induction of abdominal tympany, abomasitis, and abomasal ulceration by intraruminal inoculation of Clostridium perfringens type A in neonatal calves

The etiologic role of Clostridum perfringens type A in the acute abdominal syndrome characterized by abomasal and rumen tympany, abomasitis, and abomasal ulceration was investigated in neonatal calves. Eight calves, 4 to 12 days old, were inoculated intraruminally with toxigenic C perfringens type A. Before and after C perfringens inoculation, blood samples were collected from all calves for blood gas and serum biochemical analysis and for determination of serum copper concentration; ruminal fluid was obtained for isolation of C perfringens. Calves were monitored daily for clinical signs of the syndrome and, depending on the severity of clinical signs, they were either euthanatized or redosed within 4 to 7 days. After necropsy, specimens obtained from the abomasum and rumen for macroscopic and microscopic examination and for anaerobic bacteriologic culture were processed in routine manner. Intraruminal inoculation of C perfringens type A into healthy calves induced anorexia, depression, bloat, diarrhea, and in some calves, death. Serum copper concentration was within normal range. Necropsy revealed variable degrees of abomasitis, petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages, and ulcers (ranging from pinpoint to nearly perforate) in the abomasum. Seven of those calves also had multiple trichobezoars in the rumen. These necropsy findings were not seen in calves (controls) given distilled H2O only. In affected calves, acute abdominal syndrome was unrelated to copper deficiency, and C perfringens type A given intraruminally was able to induce clinical signs similar to those of the naturally acquired disease.     

Isolation of Clostridium perfringens from neonatal calves with ruminal and abomasal tympany, abomasitis, and abomasal ulceration

Eight neonatal calves (2 to 21 days old) with suspected abomasal displacement or intestinal obstruction after acute onset of abdominal tympany, colic, depression, or death were referred to Kansas State University for clinical examination or for necropsy. Results of routine hematologic and serum chemical analyses did not reveal consistent changes. Necropsy revealed abomasal distention, with various degrees of abomasitis, hemorrhage, and ulceration, but did not reveal evidence of displaced abomasum or obstructed intestine. Specimens of ruminal contents collected via stomach tube or at necropsy and abomasal contents collected at necropsy were obtained for anaerobic bacteriologic culture. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from all specimens, and on the basis of toxin neutralization tests in mice, 7 were type A and one was type E. Copper concentrations in serum and tissues were within normal limits. It appeared that the acute abdominal syndrome in these neonatal calves was unrelated to copper deficiency, and that C perfringens, particularly type A, may have had an appreciable contributory role in its pathogenesis.     

Synergistic influence of Ostertagia ostertagi and Trichostrongylus axei on Ostertagia ostertagi larval inhibition and abomasal lesions in cattle

Parasite-free 4-month-old calves were inoculated with Ostertagia ostertagi and/or Trichostrongylus axei followed 6 weeks later by increasing doses of O ostertagi for 8 weeks. Clinical signs of parasitism, fecal egg counts, and plasma pepsinogen concentrations were monitored, and gross lesions and parasite burdens were determined postmortem. Clinical signs of parasitism were not observed and weight gains were not affected in experimentally infected calves. In calves infected with O ostertagi, mean plasma pepsinogen concentrations were greater than for control calves and were diagnostically significant 4 weeks after inoculation and during the last 4 weeks of serial inoculations with O ostertagi. In calves that were given O ostertagi and T axei, abomasal pH was significantly increased, and abomasal lesions were more pronounced than in control calves or in calves inoculated with only O ostertagi or T axei. Abomasal lymph nodes were enlarged in all parasitized calves; other lymph nodes in the calves inoculated with both O ostertagi and T axei were usually smaller than in calves inoculated with only O ostertagi or T axei. Numbers of O ostertagi-inhibited larvae were small in all inoculated calves, but the percentage inhibition was significantly greater in calves inoculated with both O ostertagi and T axei. The percentage inhibition was 3.53% for the O ostertagi-inoculated calves and 7.07% for calves inoculated with both O ostertagi and T axei. These percentages indicated a synergistic effect of concurrent abomasal parasitism, whereas a synergistic effect on T axei worm burden was not observed. The low percentage of larval inhibition indicated that factors other than host resistance are involved in naturally occurring pretype II ostertagiosis.     

Gross postmortem and histologic examination findings from abortion losses and calf mortalities in western Canadian beef herds

Production losses from abortions, stillbirths, and early calf mortality were described for the 2002 calf crop in 203 beef herds in western Canada. A total of 1689 calves were examined. A summary diagnosis was reported for 64% of aborted calves, 78% of stillborn calves, 88% of neonatal calves, and 94% of the calves > 3 d of age. Diagnoses for aborted calves included: thyroid gland lesions, pneumonia, developmental anomalies, placentitis, and myocardial necrosis or myopathy. For stillborn calves, diagnostic findings included: dystocia, thyroid gland lesions, myocardial necrosis or myopathy, developmental anomalies, and skeletal myopathy or necrosis. The most common diagnoses for neonatal calves (≤ 3 d) were: pneumonia, skeletal myopathy or necrosis, myocardial necrosis or myopathy, accident or trauma, and septicemia. For older calves (3 d to 3 mo), the most common diagnoses included: starvation, abomasal ulcer or perforation, enteritis or colitis, pneumonia, and intestinal volvulus, obstruction, or perforation.     

The impact of gentle contacts on ease of handling, welfare, and growth of calves and on quality of veal meat

It has been demonstrated previously that regularly stroking and letting calves suck fingers leads to less avoidance and more approach behavior of the calves toward people. To examine whether these positive contacts affect the welfare and productivity of calves and the quality of veal meat we used 22 veal calves housed in individual crates. Half of them received minimal contact with the stockperson (controls), and the other half were given additional gentle contacts around meals, by stroking the calves and allowing them to suck the stockperson's fingers, during the entire fattening period (21 wk). Welfare was assessed through behavioral reactivity (reactions to handling, to surprise stimuli, and to novelty), neuroendocrine responses to stress (cortisol in response to an ACTH challenge, catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes), and health (number of medical treatments, abomasal lesions). Calf productivity was assessed through growth rates and meat quality through glycolytic potential (an estimator of resting glycogen level in muscle), pH, and color. Calves that received gentle contacts were less agitated (P < .01) and tended to defecate less (P = .08) when handled in a cart on wheels than the control calves, but no treatment effects were found in reactivity to novelty and surprise stimuli, responses to ACTH, and catecholamine synthetic potential. Calves given gentle contacts had fewer abomasal lesions than controls (0/11 vs 4/11, P = .05). The glycolytic potential of the semimembranosus muscle was higher in calves that received gentle contacts than in controls (172.6 vs 154.1 micromol/g, P < .05), but no treatment effects were observed on meat pH, meat color, or growth rates. It is concluded that gentling veal calves reduces their reactions to handling. Gentle contacts reduce the reaction to transport shown by differences in glycolytic potential. In addition, the reduction in reactions to handling and the decreased incidence of abomasal lesions can contribute to an improvement of the calves' welfare.     

The effect of feeding pellets of different types of roughage on the incidence of lesions in the abomasum of veal calves

Pellets of three types of roughage were fed to veal calves, to determine their effect on the frequency of lesions (erosions or ulcers) of the abomasal mucosa. The number was increased in the calves fed roughage. Pellets produced from corn silage caused a greater number of lesions than pellets produced from barley straw or lucerne hay. It is concluded that the nature of the roughage plays a role in the pathogenesis of abomasal lesions.     

The effect of feeding pellets of different types of roughage on the incidence of lesions in the abomasum of veal calves

Pellets of three types of roughage were fed to veal calves, to determine their effect on the frequency of lesions (erosions or ulcers) of the abomasal mucosa. The number was increased in the calves fed roughage. Pellets produced from corn silage caused a greater number of lesions than pellets produced from barley straw or lucerne hay. It is concluded that the nature of the roughage plays a role in the pathogenesis of abomasal lesions.     

A retrospective study of 51 cases of abdominal problems in the calf: etiology, diagnosis and prognosis

A retrospective study of 51 calves less than two months of age showing signs of abdominal pain or presented because of abdominal distension was carried out to evaluate the relationship between etiological, diagnostic, and prognostic characteristics. We found that the age of the calf differed with the type of lesion present. Calves under eight days of age had a 73% incidence of lesions which required surgical therapy. Atresia of part of the intestinal tract was the most frequently diagnosed problem, In eight-day to two-month-old calves, medical causes of colic were more common; only 26% of cases had lesions that required surgical correction. Gaseous distension of the abomasum and intestine was the most frequent cause of colic in older calves. Other abdominal problems observed in this study included abomasal ulceration and abomasal torsion.     

Abomasal cannulation in the milk-fed calf using a 7 mm polyurethane tube

The main objective of this study was to develop a simple and effective surgical technique for abomasal cannulation in neonatal calves. General anaesthesia was induced in 12, 3-day-old male dairy calves and a polyurethane cannula surgically implanted in the abomasal body (n = 12) and pyloric antrum (n = 6) through a right paracostal incision. Fifteen cannulae remained in situ from day 3 to 34 of life (mean: 29 days), and three cannulae were extruded 13-14 days after placement. Calves were clinically healthy and gained weight during the study. Cannulae were well tolerated by the calves and abomasal contents did not leak from the cannula sites. Necropsy examination revealed firm adhesions between the abomasum and parietal peritoneum at the cannula sites with no evidence of leakage or peritonitis. We conclude that surgical placement of polyurethane tubes designed for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy provided a useful method for cannulation of the abomasum of neonatal calves. The cannulation technique can be used for experimental studies, as well as for nutritional and fluid support of sick calves that cannot be managed by oral treatment.     

Effect of clenbuterol on the incidence of abomasal ulcers in veal calves

The effect of clenbuterol on the incidence of abomasal lesions in veal calves was studied in two fattening units. Some of the calves in each unit were treated with 1.6 micrograms clenbuterol/kg bodyweight/day from the seventh until the 23rd week of the fattening period. In one unit the calves were fed milk replacer only and 176 of the 236 calves were treated with clenbuterol. In the other unit the calves were fed roughage pellets in addition to milk replacer and 92 of the 194 calves were treated with clenbuterol. Only in the second unit did the calves treated with clenbuterol have significantly fewer abomasal lesions.     

Effects of the two production programs ‘Naturafarm’ and ‘conventional’ on the prevalence of non-perforating abomasal lesions in Swiss veal calves at slaughter

Non-perforating abomasal lesions are a considerable problem affecting more than half the population of veal calves. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of pyloric and fundic abomasal lesions in Swiss veal calves at slaughter and to compare the occurrence of non-perforating abomasal lesions between two different production programs (‘Naturafarm’ and ‘conventional’). ‘Conventional’-production settings met the minimal standards as defined by the Swiss animal welfare legislation, whereas ‘Naturafarm’ production complied with increased animal welfare requirements. In order to identify risk factors for the development of abomasal lesions, information on management, housing, and feeding was obtained by a questionnaire. A total of 125 abomasa were randomly selected in one large abattoir. They were examined macroscopically, and the occurence of lesions in either the fundic or pyloric region of the abomasum was recorded separately. Animals raised in the ‘conventional’-production setting revealed a significantly higher prevalence of lesions in the fundic part. Factors significantly affecting the prevalence of non-perforating lesions in the fundic part were the ‘conventional’-production environment, including missing access to an outside pen, missing access to water and straw as the only roughage, feeding by bucket and the liquid milk by-product Protofit in combination with the powder Sprayfit.     

The relationship between the presence of Helicobacter pylori, Clostridium perfringens type A, Campylobacter spp, or fungi and fatal abomasal ulcers in unweaned beef calves.

A case-control study involving 30 unweaned beef calves was conducted to determine whether specific species of bacteria or fungi were associated with fatal abomasal ulcer formation. Special microbiological and histological techniques were used to detect Clostridium perfringens type A, Helicobacter pylori, or Campylobacter spp. It has been speculated that these bacteria are potential ulcerogenic agents of unweaned beef calves. Calves were recruited for the study at necropsy, with those dying of either a perforating or a hemorrhagic ulcer representing the cases, and calves of a similar age dying of a disease unrelated to the abomasum representing the controls. Helicobacter pylori was not visualized in or cultured from any of the abomasal tissue samples. Clostridium perfringens type A was isolated from 78.6% of the cases and 75% of the controls. These isolates were further dichotomized into "heavy" and "light" growth; no significant association was found between ulcers and the amount of growth. A light growth of Campylobacter spp. was recovered from 3 cases and 3 controls. There was no compelling evidence to suggest that Clostridium perfringens type A, Helicobacter pylori, or Campylobacter spp. were involved in ulcer formation.     

Larval migration inhibition activity in abomasal mucus and serum from calves infected with Ostertagia ostertagi

The present study investigated whether abomasal mucus from calves naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes possessed larval migration inhibition (LMI) activity in vitro, and whether LMI activity was greater in mucus from previously immunised animals, compared to primary infected and uninfected calves. LMI activity was also assessed in serum from calves during both natural and artificial Ostertagia ostertagi infections, in an attempt to monitor the development of acquired immunity. Both abomasal mucus and serum exhibited larval paralysing activity. Although the LMI capacity of the abomasal mucus was very variable, the highest paralysing activity was consistently observed in mucus from previously immunised calves. LMI activity in serum increased significantly during both artificial and natural Ostertagia infections. After a challenge infection, sera from immunised animals showed a significantly higher LMI capacity, compared to previously uninfected calves. Moreover, serum LMI activity was significantly negatively correlated with Ostertagia worm counts after the challenge infection. The present results suggest that LMI activity in serum and/or abomasal mucus reflects a protective immune response against O. ostertagi in the abomasal mucosa.     

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

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.     

Effect of orally administered cimetidine and ranitidine on abomasal luminal pH in clinically normal milk-fed calves

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the change of pH in the abomasal lumen throughout a 24-hour period, to determine whether pH of the abomasal body differs from pH of the pyloric antrum, and to determine whether oral administration of cimetidine and ranitidine alters pH of the abomasal lumen in milk-fed calves. ANIMALS: 5 male dairy calves (4 Holsteins-Friesian, 1 Ayrshire), 5 to 15 days old. PROCEDURE: Cannulas were surgically positioned in the abomasal body and pyloric antrum of each calf. Calves received the following treatments in a randomized crossover design: milk replacer (60 ml/kg of body weight, q 12 h [untreated control calves]), milk replacer and cimetidine (50 or 100 mg/kg, q 8 h), or milk replacer and ranitidine (10 or 50 mg/kg, q 8 h). The pH of the abomasal body and pyloric antrum was measured for 24 hours, using miniature glass pH electrodes. RESULTS: Suckling of milk replacer immediately increased abomasal luminal pH from 1.4 to 6.0, followed by a gradual decrease to preprandial values by 6 hours. Preprandial and postprandial pH values were not significantly different between the abomasal body and pyloric antrum, indicating lack of pH compartmentalization in the abomasum of milk-fed calves. Administration of cimetidine and ranitidine caused a significant dose-dependent increase in mean 24-hour abomasal luminal pH. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Abomasal acid secretion in milk-fed calves is mediated in part by histamine type-2 receptors. Cimetidine and ranitidine may be efficacious in the treatment of abomasal ulcers in milk-fed calves.     

Pathophysiological and parasitological studies on Ostertagia ostertagi infections in calves

Friesian calves given a low level infection of the abomasal parasite Ostertagia ostertagi over a six week period displayed a mild diarrhoea with high faecal egg counts and elevated plasma pepsinogen values. At necropsy on day 23 abomasal lesions characteristic of ostertagiasis were widespread. At 42 and 84 days oedema and congestion were also prominent. Total worm burdens on days 23 and 42 were similar but a marked decrease had occurred by day 84. Feed digestibility and nitrogen economy were not markedly affected but radioisotopic measurements demonstrated an increase in albumin disappearance and catabolic rates, and plasma faecal clearance during the course of the infection. Prior administration of a morantel sustained release bolus to a group of similarly infected calves reduced the total worm burdens to less than 50 per cent of those recorded in the infected calves on days 23 and 42 and this fell to 3 per cent on day 84. Abomasal damage and the adverse pathophysiological changes associated with infection were prevented in this group.     

Ruminant Nutrition Symposium: Productivity, digestion, and health responses to hindgut acidosis in ruminants

Microbial fermentation of carbohydrates in the hindgut of dairy cattle is responsible for 5 to 10% of total-tract carbohydrate digestion. When dietary, animal, or environmental factors contribute to abnormal, excessive flow of fermentable carbohydrates from the small intestine, hindgut acidosis can occur. Hindgut acidosis is characterized by increased rates of production of short-chain fatty acids including lactic acid, decreased digesta pH, and damage to gut epithelium as evidenced by the appearance of mucin casts in feces. Hindgut acidosis is more likely to occur in high-producing animals fed diets with relatively greater proportions of grains and lesser proportions of forage. In these animals, ruminal acidosis and poor selective retention of fermentable carbohydrates by the rumen will increase carbohydrate flow to the hindgut. In more severe situations, hindgut acidosis is characterized by an inflammatory response; the resulting breach of the barrier between animal and digesta may contribute to laminitis and other disorders. In a research setting, effects of increased hindgut fermentation have been evaluated using pulse-dose or continuous abomasal infusions of varying amounts of fermentable carbohydrates. Continuous small-dose abomasal infusions of 1 kg/d of pectin or fructans into lactating cows resulted in decreased diet digestibility and decreased milk fat percentage without affecting fecal pH or VFA concentrations. The decreased diet digestibility likely resulted from increased bulk in the digestive tract or from increased digesta passage rate, reducing exposure of the digesta to intestinal enzymes and epithelial absorptive surfaces. The same mechanism is proposed to explain the decreased milk fat percentage because only milk concentrations of long-chain fatty acids were decreased. Pulse-dose abomasal fructan infusions (1 g/kg of BW) into steers resulted in watery feces, decreased fecal pH, and increased fecal VFA concentrations, without causing an inflammatory response. Daily 12-h abomasal infusions of a large dose of starch (~4 kg/d) have also induced hindgut acidosis as indicated by decreased fecal pH and watery feces. On the farm, watery or foamy feces or presence of mucin casts in feces may indicate hindgut acidosis. In summary, hindgut acidosis occurs because of relatively high rates of large intestinal fermentation, likely due to digestive dysfunction in other parts of the gut. A better understanding of the relationship of this disorder to other animal health disorders is needed.     

A survey of abomasal ulceration in veal calves

Abomasal ulceration was found in 264 of 304 commercially reared veal calves at slaughter. The incidence and severity of lesions were greatest in loose housed calves with access to straw and fed milk substitute ad libitum. The majority of lesions were located in the distal pylorus. There was no evidence that the abomasal erosions and ulcers found in the majority of veal calves affected their growth rate or were deleterious to their welfare. It is suggested that pyloric ulceration may be related to the diet of veal calves.     

Sarcina-like bacteria associated with bloat in young lambs and calves

Sarcina species are fastidious Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria that occur in cubical packets of eight or more cells. In 2006 to 2007, they were associated with cases of acute abomasal bloat in young lambs and calves. Two incidents were in lambs aged three to six weeks that were found dead, with one or two cases in each of a group of 15 and 100 lambs. Three incidents were recorded in small groups of calves up to 10 days of age, two cases in each incident, with the calves found dead or dying after a short illness characterised by bloat. Their gross lesions included emphysema and oedema of the abomasal wall, mucosal hyperaemia and haemorrhage, and rupture of the abomasum. Histological lesions included abomasitis with congestion, haemorrhage, emphysema and oedema. Bacteria characteristic of Sarcina species were observed in sections associated with the superficial mucosa of these cases, but the bacteria were not detected in cultures.     

The provision of drinking water to veal calves for welfare purposes

Growth performance, behavior, physiology, forestomach development, abomasal lesions, and meat quality of veal calves fed a milk-replacer diet (No Water) were compared to those obtained from calves fed the same diet and provided with increasing amounts of drinking water (Water). Two groups of 69 Polish Friesian calves, balanced according to initial BW, were assigned to two water treatments in a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement that provided solid feed in addition to the milk-replacer diet (No solid feed, 250 g x calf(-1) x d(-1) of wheat straw or the same amount of beet pulp), and the adoption of two housing systems (individual stall vs group pen). The fattening trial lasted 160 d, and calves received drinking water starting from the 2nd wk of the study. The amount of drinking water was progressively increased from 3 to 8 L x cal(-1) x d(-1). Although not dehydrated, as shown by hematocrit and Na, K, and total protein hemoconcentration, calves consumed almost all the offered amount of water throughout the fattening period. Therefore, the water provided by the milk replacer alone, which ranged between 6 to 16 L calf d(-1), was not sufficient to satisfy the need of the animal. Drinking water did not affect the calves' growth performance but it reduced nonnutritive oral behavior throughout the fattening period. Based on these results, drinking water did not cover a shortage in the calves' water requirement but it played a role in environmental enrichment. Health status was similar between treatments, although water provision reduced the episodes of feed refusal. The measurement of chronic stress by ACTH challenge showed that the administration of drinking water would be advisable when calves are fed with small amounts of solid feed for well-being. Feces consistency and animal cleanliness were not affected by drinking water. At slaughter, forestomach development was similar between treatments, and drinking water did not affect the number of calves showing rumen hair-balls and abomasal lesions. No differences in color and other meat quality traits were observed between Water and No Water calves. Despite the lack of direct effects on productive traits, when water was available, the calves drank it, and positive effects were noticed on their nonnutritive oral behaviors and chronic stress indicators.