Diagnosis of digestive deaths.

Abstract

Diagnosis of deaths due to digestive disorders can be a difficult task. It is helpful if the carcass can be viewed for condition, position, and location before being moved from the pen in which it was found. A complete necropsy is absolutely necessary even though postmortem decomposition may be advanced. All thoracic and abdominal organs must be examined for gross lesions. If one believes that the central nervous system was involved, the brain should be removed and examined. Checking the ruminal pH is important. If indicated, samples should be obtained and submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. Salient lesions include congestion of the anterior portion of the carcass, especially the cervical muscles and tissues adjacent to the esophagus and trachea, paleness of the posterior portion of the carcass, edema between the muscle groups of the hindquarters, scrotal, or mammary area, and a lack of other gross lesions. Many cases have congestion and(or) edema in the submucosa of the dorsal portion of the trachea extending from the thoracic inlet cranially. One must list the cause of death as unknown or undetermined when it is not apparent.

Pathologies of Acute Interstitial Pneumonia in Feedlot Cattle

“…The postmortem H 2 S levels were about 8 times greater than the ante-mortem levels. Post-mortem rumen pH values were numerically greater in the 60 AIP animals than 11 control animals (6.3 Vs. 5.7, respectively), which agrees with previous reports (Miles et al, 1998).…”

Microbiologic findings in feedlot cattle with acute interstitial pneumonia

“…Rumen pH values of cattle with subclinical acidosis have been reported to range from 5.0 to 5.5, 42,43 and rumen pH values of £ 5.0 are often detected postmortem in feedlot cattle that died as a result of acidosis or acidosis-related digestive diseases. 44, 45 In the present study, rumen pH values were often much higher than values expected in cattle adapted to a high grain diet, which have been reported to be approximately 5.6 to 5.7 typically. 42,46 Our findings agreed with those of Miles et al, 45 who reported rumen pH values of 4.9 to 7.4 in feedlot cattle with AIP, with most cattle having a rumen pH of 5.6 to 7.1.…”

“…44, 45 In the present study, rumen pH values were often much higher than values expected in cattle adapted to a high grain diet, which have been reported to be approximately 5.6 to 5.7 typically. 42,46 Our findings agreed with those of Miles et al, 45 who reported rumen pH values of 4.9 to 7.4 in feedlot cattle with AIP, with most cattle having a rumen pH of 5.6 to 7.1. Relatively high rumen pH values in cattle with AIP may be a reflection of decreased feed intake secondary to respiratory distress because anorexia is known to increase rumen pH.…”

Feedlot Acute Interstitial Pneumonia

“…13 AIP does not, however, seem to result from acidosis; cattle with feedlot AIP have been found to have higher ruminal pH values than expected for cattle adapted to a high concentrated diet. Ruminal pH in AIP cases ranged from 5.6 to 7.2 in 1 study 2 and from 4.9 to 7.4 in another, 14 whereas the ruminal pH of cattle adapted to a high concentrate diet is typically approximately 5.5 to 5.6. 15 Many proteins are relatively basic; therefore, the high ruminal pH could be related to abnormal protein metabolism.…”