Digestive disorders following obstruction of flow of ingesta through the abomasum and small intestine

Abstract

It has been known for quite a while that several forms of indigestion in the ruminant are associated with dehydration, depression, an overvilled rumen fluctuating upon punching and a decreased or absent faeces production. In the blood of these cows there is a hypochloremic, hypokalemic, metabolic alkalosis, an increased hematocrit and a more or less severe uremia. In the well advanced cases, the diagnosis posterior functional gastric stenosis or functional pyloric stenosis is made, but when a thorough clinical examination is performed the same syndrome or part of it can be recognized in cows with other lesions of the gastro-intestinal tract. It is important to recognize the syndrome because the disturbances of water and electrolyte balance as a consequence of this stenosis may be seriously complicating the condition and treatment, although the primary cause can be treated without problems.