Content
Blockage of the esophagus in a cow is a serious disease that is quite common among cattle. If such a problem occurs with the health of the animal, it is necessary to take immediate medical measures. The outcome of the disease will depend on the quality and speed of care provided.
What is an esophageal blockage?
Esophageal blockage is a partial or complete closure of the lumen of the esophagus. Pathology occurs due to the entry of a foreign body or large food into the digestive organs. Complete blockage is possible due to the rapid consumption of large food, and partial blockage is possible due to the accidental ingestion of foreign objects, most often of an oblong shape. Blockage of the esophagus can be primary or secondary, occurring with muscle paralysis, spasms, paresis, and swelling.
Causes of esophageal blockage in cattle
The causes of this disease are varied. Most often it occurs when feeding poorly chopped tubers and root vegetables, pumpkin, cake, and corn cobs. It happens that the disease occurs after foreign objects enter the cow’s esophagus.This happens in hungry animals that greedily grab food without chewing it properly and quickly swallow it. If a cow does not receive adequate mineral nutrition, she tends to chew and swallow foreign objects.
Much less often, the cause of blockage of the esophagus can be its narrowing. It occurs after various injuries to the mucous membrane and muscle tissue of the esophagus, enlargement of the lymph nodes, which can become inflamed due to leukemia and tuberculosis. Paralysis of the esophagus, which occurs with some infections, for example, rabies, inflammatory processes of the brain, bruises, can also cause blockage.
Symptoms of a blocked esophagus in a cow
Symptoms of complete blockage of the esophagus appear very sharply. The animal experiences severe discomfort:
- anxiety and fear appear;
- loss of interest in food;
- the cow makes swallowing movements, trying to move the food further;
- chewing gum disappears;
- belching stops;
- the cow shakes its head sharply;
- abundant foamy salivation appears.
Complete blockage of the esophagus leads to gastric arrest, accumulation of gases in the rumen, and constipation. The general condition worsens significantly, and other symptoms appear. The animal has difficulty breathing, coughing, shortness of breath appears, and the mucous membranes turn pale. The cow tries to hit its belly with its hoof. If the esophagus is partially blocked, the cow can drink and eat liquid food. On palpation, some compaction is felt in the area of the jugular groove.
With a partial, minor blockage of the esophagus, symptoms may not be felt for some time, although the behavior of the cow should alert the owner. The symptoms begin to appear most clearly when the animal's stomach stops. At this moment, gases accumulate in the rumen and the diaphragm is compressed. If you are late with help, the cow may die from asphyxia in less than a day. If tympany is suspected, an emergency puncture of the scar with a special trocar instrument should be performed.
Why is a blocked esophagus dangerous in a cow?
The rumen is the pancreas of the digestive tract of cattle, with a capacity of up to 300 liters. This is one of the most important organs in the cow’s digestive system, participates in many gastrointestinal processes, produces vitamins and enzymes for the animal’s body.
When tympania (swelling of the scar) occurs, this organ stretches and increases in volume. And since it is in close proximity to the thoracic region, compression of the lungs and heart occurs, blood circulation and metabolic processes in the body are disrupted.
Thus, complete blockage of the esophagus and unprovided or ill-provided assistance can lead to cardiac arrest and subsequent death of the animal.
With partial but long-term blockage of the esophagus, inflammatory processes, tissue necrosis, and rupture of the scar membrane appear.
In especially severe cases, aspiration pneumonia develops - inflammation of the lungs and bronchi, which occurs due to foreign objects entering the respiratory tract.
Diagnosis of esophageal blockage
To make a correct diagnosis, the cow is first examined and palpated. Further, if necessary, you can use probing, x-rays, and esophagoscopy. All of the above studies are carried out only by a veterinarian.
When examining cattle, the specialist carefully observes the jugular recess, which is slightly enlarged, to see if there is any swelling or rupture.
Palpation is performed with the left hand, and with the right hand the veterinarian palpates the cow’s neck along the jugular groove. Using this examination method, the presence of foreign bodies can be detected.
Before probing, a probe is selected depending on the weight of the cow. The method helps to determine the cause of the ailment and decide on a treatment regimen. In addition, intubation helps in some cases to significantly reduce gases in the intestinal tract.
X-ray is rather an auxiliary research method for subsequent diagnosis. It is performed with additional diagnostic methods.
Esophagoscopy is the most effective method for studying the digestive tract of a cow. Using it, the veterinarian can view the entire gastrointestinal mucosa and begin treatment. The procedure also has a therapeutic focus, when there is a need to introduce a drug directly into the animal’s intestines.
Treatment of esophageal blockage in cows
If the esophagus is blocked, help should be provided as soon as possible to prevent asphyxia. Treatment will depend on the form of the disease and the location of the foreign body in the esophagus.
First of all, you need to remove the item. All actions must be carried out in a certain sequence, only with trained assistants. You also need to take care of safety precautions and proper restraint of the cow in advance.After this, a wedge is inserted between the animal's molars. During operation, it is important to ensure that it does not fall out. Sometimes a probe is used for these purposes. The hand must be wrapped in a towel from the hand to the elbow to prevent injury. Next, penetrating your hand into the cow’s oral cavity, try to remove the object.
The following method often helps: wrap your hands around the cow’s neck in the area of the jugular groove. Make movements with your hands towards your head, causing a gag reflex. As a rule, a foreign object is also released with the vomit. Before starting the procedure, 100 ml of vegetable oil is poured into the cow’s throat, and during the procedure it is recommended to lightly tug the animal’s tongue.
If the foreign body is in the area of the cervical or thoracic esophagus, use a 35 mm probe. By moving it along the esophagus, the object will be pushed forward. The procedure must be carried out carefully so as not to rupture the esophagus. If the scar is swollen (tympanic), a puncture is performed.
Traditional methods of treatment
Traditional methods often help to open the stomach of cattle.
100-150 g of fresh yeast are diluted in 300 ml of warm water and left for half an hour. At this time, 100 g of sugar is diluted in 200 g of vodka. Diluted yeast is also added there. You should get 1 liter of tincture. It should be poured into the animal’s throat 2 times a day for 2 days.
Sometimes experienced farmers use cherry tincture, which is diluted in 0.5 liters of boiled water. It is also poured into the animal’s oral cavity.
Various herbal decoctions stimulate digestion well. For example, chamomile, decoction of flax seed, yarrow.Prepare as follows: 30 g of raw materials are brewed in 1 liter of boiling water. The broth should be simmered in a water bath for about 30 minutes, then infuse a little and carefully strain. Pour warm into the animal for several days.
Prevention of esophageal blockage in cattle
If the cow has a history of esophageal blockage, the cow should be protected from repeated problems of this kind.
The owner must carefully monitor what the animals eat. Large, coarse food must be chopped to the required degree.
Pastures must be regularly cleared of debris, and cleanliness in the premises where cows are kept is also important. You cannot drive the herd along potato or beet plantings.
When cows lack mineral supplements, they may lick plaster walls, eat soil and sand, and accidentally ingest foreign objects. Therefore, it is important to take care of vitamins and minerals by hanging special briquettes with useful components to the feeders.
Conclusion
A blocked esophagus in a cow is a serious disease that can be fatal. Many cattle owners have encountered this problem through their own fault. This disease occurs most often due to neglect of animals. You can avoid such a dangerous problem by properly caring for your livestock, carefully monitoring their diet and providing them with all the necessary nutrients.
