Assessment of the Rumen Fluid of a Bovine Patient

Assessment of the rumen fluid is an ancillary examination technique used in the clinical examination both of the individual bovine patient and at population level. The specific function and structure of the rumen makes ruminants different from other animals. Therefore, it logical to assess the rumen in detail when confronted with a bovine patient. Assessment of the rumen fluid is essential to assist with the diagnosis of disorders of the rumeno-reticulum (e.g. indigestion, abomasal reflux, traumatic reticuloperitonitis), fermentation (e.g. subacute rumen acidosis (SARA)) and disruption of the passage of ingesta into the intestines (e.g. pyloric obstruction). Additionally, rumen samples are required to check the rumen health at an individual (e.g. selection of a suitable candidate as a donor for rumen transfaunation) or population level, particularly on enterprises that feed a high-energy, easy digestible diet (e.g. SARA). For this purpose, 12 individuals are usually selected randomly from each group on the farm and rumen samples collected for analysis. The volume of rumen fluid required for the above indications above is usually small (3-300mL). Collection of rumen samples is also required for rumen transfaunation. For rumen transfaunation, moderate quantities of rumen fluid are collected from donor cows using specialised equipment (e.g. Dirksen, Geishner or Sorensen and Shambaye probe), or from freshly slaughtered or rumen canniculated patients.