The objective of the study was to compare the performance of five types of stomach tubes for rumen fluid sampling. Rumen fluid was sampled in rumen fistulated cows assigned to a 5×5 Latin square study design. The pH values of samples taken by stomach tubes and via fistulas were measured; the results were compared with indwelling sensor measurements. The practicability of the stomach tubes for regular use was tested in the field. Rumen fluid samples were obtained rapidly. Volumes for transfaunation could be obtained. The pH-values of samples taken with the four out of the five tubes (Dirksen, Geishauser, tube 4 and a simple water hose used with a gag) did not show significant differences to samples taken via rumen fistulas. Mean differences ranged between -0.02 and +0.09. Samples taken with tube 4 and the water hose showed also no significant differences to pH-sensor measurements. This study demonstrates that stomach tubes are suitable for rumen fluid sampling. Tube 4 seems to be the best probe for work in the field. It was well tolerated by the animals, saliva contamination is negligible. We, therefore, conclude that the evaluation of rumen acid base status in the field is possible.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. AbstractTransfaunation is supposed to stimulate normal rumen function and has been used as an ancillary treatment for indigestion. Although it is widely recommended, there are little research data on the efficacy and the necessary volume.The objective of the prospective clinical trial was the evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of two different transfaunation volumes which can be obtained under practical conditions. Forty-five cattle suffering from indigestion were included in the study. A scoring system for the classification of rumen fluid was used. Scores were given in accordance with the importance of the parameter as an indication of microbial dysfunction.Animals with disturbed rumen fluid composition and activity were randomly assigned into 3 groups. Group 1 received 1 L of rumen fluid, group 2 received 5 L of rumen fluid and group 3 (control group) received 5 L of body temperature water. Rumen fluid analysis was repeated on days 1 and 4 after transfaunation. The feed intake of the animals was recorded.After the transfaunation of 1 L and 5 L, the rumen fluid score improved significantly from day 0 to days 1 and 4. Rumen fluid samples in the control group showed no significant improvement from day 0 to day 1. No significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups. But significant differences between the improvement of group 1 and the control group on days 1 and 4 and significant differences between group 2 and the control group on day 1 were detected. Small volumes of rumen fluid are easily obtainable by stomach tubes fitted with suction pumps. In summary, the transfaunation of as little as 1 L of rumen fluid caused significant improvement in the activity of rumen flora in cows suffering from indigestion. K E Y W O R D Scattle, indigestion, rumen fluid, transfaunation

IntroductionDefined as inflammation of the mammary gland, mastitis is the most common disease of dairy cattle, and it causes major economic losses (1). The disease reduces milk yield, alters milk composition, and shortens the productive life of affected dairy cattle. Seventy to eighty percent of milk losses caused by mastitis arise from subclinical cases (2). The changes observed in the composition of milk in subclinical mastitis include the presence of plasma proteins, alterations in ion concentrations, the breakdown of local cells, a reduction in the synthetic capacity of the mammary epithelium, and, most importantly, an increase in shedding of somatic cells (3). Although the tests used to determine the number of somatic cells in milk enable diagnosis of mastitis, they do not provide information on its causative agents. Despite the lengthy time they require, the isolation and identification of microorganisms by the culturing of milk samples and the application of antibiograms contribute greatly to the diagnosis and treatment of mastitis as well as to prophylaxis (4).Nevertheless, mastitis control programs highlight the need for the rapid and timely treatment of cases on the basis of the somatic cell count (SCC) values determined by use of easily applied rapid techniques, irrespective of whether they are caused by environmental or contagious pathogens (5).Although mastitis develops as a result of polymicrobiological infection, the most frequently isolated agents are Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and of gram-negative bacteria, E. coli (6,7). Other microorganisms involved in the development of mastitis are Actinomyces pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Mycoplasma spp., and Pasteurella multocida (8).Depending on the type and virulence of the microorganisms involved, the clinical course of mastitis in dairy cattle varies from mild to fatal. The treatment protocol applied also varies with the severity of mastitis. Generally, therapeutic agents are administered by the intramammary route. When compared to systemic

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