Alvaro Garcia
Larger dairies oftentimes have rumen fluid donor cows (either rumen-cannulated or through rumen pumps) to transfer rumen fluid and “jump-start’ the digestive system of a cow undergoing digestive and/or metabolic problems. Cows suffering from ketosis, anorexia and several types of indigestion including acidosis, benefit from receiving fresh rumen fluid teeming in fully functional rumen microorganisms.
A recent article (Steiner et al., 2020) evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a single rumen fluid transfer using small volumes (1 and 5 L) of active rumen fluid to cows suffering from indigestion. The hypothesis was based on that smaller amounts of rumen fluids would be more effective than infusing 5 liters of plain water.
The trial was designed using forty‐five cows suffering from indigestion. All cows showed decreased feed intake before starting the trial, which was the first criteria for selection. Cows had received antibiotics parenterally, non‐steroid anti‐inflammatory drugs and intravenous fluid therapy, but no oral treatments. Donors of rumen fluid were two rumen‐cannulated dry cows fed hay ad libitum and commercial concentrate up to maintenance requirements. The second inclusion criterion for selection was decreased rumen function. Rumen fluid samples were obtained by stomach tube and immediately evaluated for odor, color, consistency, pH, number and viability of protozoa, sedimentation time, and methylene blue reduction time. The previous ailments of these 45 cows had suffered are in the table.
| Number of cows | |||
| Group1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | |
| Primary Indigestion | |||
| Inactivity of rumen microbial flora | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Frothy bloat | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Secondary Indigestion | |||
| Left displaced abomasum | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| Right displaced abomasum | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| Mastitis | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Reticuloperitonitis traumatica | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Bowel obstruction | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Neurological disease | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total (45 cows) | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Cows were assigned to three groups of fifteen each; one received 1 L of rumen fluid, another received 5 L of rumen fluid, and the third (control) received 5 L of water at body temperature (38oC). In this trial the rumen fluid was obtained via pre-stomach tube fitted with a suction pump. After evaluating it the fluid was immediately drenched to the study cows in group 1 and 2; similar approach for infusion was used in the water-treated cows of the control group. Rumen fluid analysis was performed on days 0 and repeated on days 1 and 4 after the initial administration of rumen fluid or water. Feed intake was also recorded. The ration was calculated for maintenance and 20 L milk yield, and consisted of hay, grass silage and pelleted concentrate (4 kg/day).
The main improvements observed after treatment were: number of protozoa, percentage of vital protozoa, methylene blue reduction time and sedimentation and flotation times. After the administration of 1 L and 5 L of rumen fluid, its score improved between days 1 and 4. The most apparent improvement was odor and percentage of vital/motile protozoa, and methylene blue reduction time. In the control group (5 L of water) the rumen fluid showed only a slight, non‐significant improvement on day 1. Administering rumen fluid had also a positive effect on feed intake. Animals that received 1 L of rumen fluid showed greater feed intakes on days 1 and 4, with group 2 showing only an improvement from days 0 to 1; the control group showed a significant improvement only from days 0 to 4.
Infusion of small volumes of rumen fluid as little as 1 L, were demonstrated to be very effective in improving rumen function and feed intake. This supportive therapy is inexpensive, fast and does not result in withdrawal periods.
Reference
Steiner, S., Linhart, N., Neidl, A., Baumgartner, W., Tichy, A., Wittek, T. 2020. Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of rumen transfaunation. J Anim Physiol An N. 104: 56–63.
© 2020 Dairy Knowledge Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
