Studies on Abomaso-Ruminal Reflux in Milk Fed Dairy Calves

Abstract

Gastro-intestinal disorders constitute the most important findings among an estimated 200.000 neonatal dairy calf mortalities in Denmark (5). Besides infectious diarrhoea, forestomach disturbances play an important role on its own or in combination with general weakness caused by, e.g., diarrhoea. Such disturbances may result from ruminal drinking, from abomaso-ruminal reflux or by forced feeding of weak calves with milk by stomach tube. In any case this leads to disturbed forestomach function, to poor milk utilisation and retarded growth.

Reflux may occur in single calves with intestinal obstruction. Management factors which may precipitate reflux are however unknown. In the present experiment the possible role of feeding irregular amounts of milk on the occurrence of reflux is examined in young bucket fed Jersey calves. The investigation was made possible by the recent development of a simple milk coagulation test (4), to be performed on rumen samples, as an indicator of the occurrence of reflux.