Oesophageal groove dysfunction as a complication of neonatal diarrhea in the calf

Abstract

In a study of 249 calves up to 2 weeks of age, with acute catarrhal enteritis, disturbance of the oesophageal groove contraction was demonstrated in 28 (11.2%) calves, 11 of which died, and was suspected in a further 29 (11.6%), 12 of which died. In 37 calves with oesophageal groove disturbance (30 with neonatal diarrhoea, 7 with other disorders), the acid status of the rumen was examined several times. The following types of fermentation were detected: (1) predominant butyric acid fermentation; (2) predominant lactic acid fermentation; (3) biphasic (type 1 changing to type 2, or vice versa). In milk fed calves with neonatal diarrhoea, oesophageal groove reflex dysfunction can be the cause of a fatal outcome and should be considered during clinical examination.