Evaluation of rumen transfaunation after surgical correction of left-sided displacement of the abomasum in cows.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate rumen transfaunation after surgical correction of left-sided displacement of the abomasum (LDA) in cows.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
20 multiparous cows with LDA.


METHODS
Cows with LDA were treated surgically (day 0). On days 0 (immediately after surgery) and 1, 10 cows each received 10 L of rumen fluid (transfaunated group) or 10 L of water (control group) via a stomach tube. Postoperative dietary dry-matter intake and milk yield of each cow were recorded daily for 5 days, beginning immediately after surgery. Blood and rumen fluid samples were collected prior to surgery and on days 1, 3, and 5 after surgery. Serum nonesterified fatty acid and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were measured. Volatile fatty acid and ammonia concentrations and pH of rumen fluid were determined. Urine specimens were collected and tested for ketones at 8 AM and 4 PM. Cows with ketonuria were treated with 50% dextrose solution administered i.v. at the time ketonuria was first detected. Cows with ketonuria were treated twice daily until ketonuria resolved.


RESULTS
All cows survived and completed their lactation. Daily and cumulative dry-matter intake and milk yield of cows in the transfaunated group were significantly greater than those of cows in the control group. Cows in the transfaunated group had significantly lower serum concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate and significantly lower acetate-to-propionate ratios in rumen fluid on day 1 after surgery, compared with cows in the control group. Cows that received transfaunate required a significantly lower total volume of dextrose administered i.v. than control cows.


CONCLUSIONS
Benefits of rumen transfaunation of cows after surgical correction of LDA included a lesser degree of ketonuria, greater feed intake, and higher milk yield, compared with nontransfaunated cows.
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Kimberly D
KD
Rager
Lisle W
LW
George
John K
JK
House
Edward J
EJ
DePeters
D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000097:blood; D000018:Abomasum / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D004435:Eating; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors
D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D005947:Glucose; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid