Prevalence and therapeutic management of indigestion in milchcows in and around Bhubaneswar of Odisha, India

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and therapeutic management of indigestion in milch cows in and around Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Crossbred milch cows (n=257) with the history of anorexia presented to Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar and in private herds in and around Bhubaneswar were examined for indigestion following standard procedures to identify the type of indigestion leading to decrease in milk yield. Clinical examination, determination of pH, study of rumen protozoa, rumen bacteria were carried out in three different types of indigestion. Amongst the affected animals, 48.33 % (n=58), 21.67 % (n=26) and 30.00 % (n=36) were detected to be affected with simple, acid and alkaline indigestion, respectively. Simple indigestion was higher (p < 0.05) as compared to acid and alkaline and alkaline indigestion (30 %) was found to be the next to simple indigestion. Ruminal movement varied from 1-4 per 5 min and pH of the rumen fluid ranged from 7.5-8.6 and the idophillic activity of the rumen protozoa was moderate type (+++). Average total count of protozoa was estimated to be 3.5 - 4.6 x 105 per ml with an average of 4.1 x 105 per ml of rumen liquor and drugs used in the study were found efficacious to treat the different types of indigestion.. Rumen bacteria have played role resulting in production of volatile fatty acids and lactic acid thereby decreasing / disturbing the rumen pH to non-physiological levels, reducing efficiency of rumen microflora.