Foreign body disease in ruminants

A foreign body disease ( indigestio a corporibus alienis , reticuloperitonitis traumatica ) in ruminants is the ingestion of a foreign body through the mouth, which bores into the reticulum's wall and damages organs in the vicinity of this forestomach. The disease occurs mainly in adult domestic cattle due to the poorly selective eating behavior .

Pathogenesis

In ruminants, the esophagus joins approximately at the level of the transition between the rumen and reticulum. Heavier particles and therefore foreign bodies primarily get into the reticulum. Since all parts of the stomach are subject to intense motor skills , particularly sharp foreign bodies spear themselves into or through the wall of the reticulated stomach due to these movements. Common triggers of the disease are nails or pieces of wire.

In addition to the rumen, a number of organs are adjacent to the reticulum. Since these foreign bodies are always loaded with bacteria , infections and inflammations of these organs or the formation of abscesses occur . Affected are the peritoneum ( peritonitis traumatica ), the spleen ( lienitis traumatica ), the liver ( hepatitis traumatica ) and the diaphragm ( diaphragm ). It may also happen that a foreign body also pierced the diaphragm and organs in the chest cavity as the pleura ( pleurisy traumatic ), lungs ( pneumonia traumatic ) and especially the pericardium ( pericarditis traumatic affected). In the pericardium, the increased formation of pericardial fluid and thus a pericardial tamponade dominates , which severely impairs the action of the heart .

Clinical picture

The clinical picture is very different depending on the organ affected. Often there are only unspecific digestive disorders. With traumatic pericarditis, heart failure occurs . Pneumonia leads to breathing disorders.

diagnosis

Foreign body detectors (metal detectors) can be used for metallic foreign bodies.

In addition, the diagnosis can be made using so-called foreign body samples. Usually there is hypersensitivity ( hyperesthesia ) in the sloping part of the withers , as this is where the Head's zone ( see also dermatome ) of the anterior abdominal cavity is located. Here a fold of skin is lifted and released at the time of exhalation. When gripping the back , firm pinching of the transition from the thoracic to the lumbar spine causes the back to bend, which leads to a stretch in the hood area. For the rod test , a rod is passed under the animal at the rear end of the sternum and then lifted vigorously. Tapping (percussion) on the left side of the chest in the 6th to 8th intercostal space is another method. In the positive case, the animal shows a pain reaction in the form of a low moan during these tests.

therapy

The therapy takes place surgically, by opening the abdominal cavity and the rumen, through which one goes to the hood and removes the foreign body.

prophylaxis

The prophylaxis is in a good pasture hygiene (Absammeln of debris, removal of residues repairs of pasture fences). Metallic foreign bodies can be caught with so-called cage magnets , which are permanently placed in the forestomach.