Pathophysiology of Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Problems in the Bovine

Abstract

The problems of the lower gastrointestinal tract in the cow can be divided into two major categories: (1) diarrhea, and (2) obstruction with lack of adequate fecal output. Less common problems would include bleeding in the intestinal tract, tenesmus or straining, and pain in the abdomen.

Diarrhea is the most prominent problem of the gastrointestinal tract facing the large animal practitioner of today. In fact, diarrhea or the complications associated with diarrhea account for 10- 15% of the mortality losses associated with calves born in the United States! Some data indicate this is the major loss to the cattle industry in the United States.