What are the traditional Chinese medicine treatments for cattle gastroenteritis?
Gastroenteritis is a severe inflammatory process involving the superficial mucosa of the stomach and intestines as well as the deeper tissues. Because the anatomical structure and physiological functions of the stomach and intestines are closely related, organic damage and functional disturbance of the stomach or intestines readily affect each other. Therefore, inflammation of the stomach and intestines often occurs simultaneously or in succession. The author used traditional Chinese medicine to treat cattle gastroenteritis with good results, and it is described as follows.
Etiology
The occurrence of cattle gastroenteritis is mainly related to improper feeding and management. Poor-quality forage, such as moldy hay, frozen and rotted root tubers and green grass, and moldy and spoiled silage, as well as poisonous plants and chemicals, are common causative factors. In addition, malnutrition, excessive work, and long-distance transport can also lead to reduced body resistance and gastrointestinal dysfunction, resulting in disease.
Clinical symptoms
Listlessness, reduced or absent appetite, conjunctiva first congested and then icteric, watery diarrhea, feces foul-smelling and containing blood and mucosa, gradually emaciated and weak, dry mouth and tongue, shortness of breath, rough breathing, and a thin, rapid pulse.
Treatment
Prescription: Pulsatilla root (Baitouweng) 80g, Sanguisorba root (Diyu), Sophora flower (Huaihua), and Coptis rhizome (Huanglian) 45g each, decocted in water, 1 dose per day, used for 2-3 consecutive doses.
Typical cases
Case 1: A water buffalo belonging to Du of Jinji Village in this town became ill in March 2004. After 3 days of treatment by the village veterinarian without recovery, the owner came to the station seeking medical help. Examination: listlessness, reduced appetite, visible mucosa slightly icteric, loose stool, feces foul-smelling and containing blood and mucosa. Diagnosed as gastroenteritis. Cured with 3 doses of the prescription.
Case 2: A water buffalo belonging to Zhou of Sanli Village in this town became ill in April 2003 and was brought to the station for treatment. Examination: listlessness, visible mucosa congested, loose stool, feces foul-smelling and containing blood and mucosa. Diagnosed as gastroenteritis. Cured with 2 doses of the prescription.
Summary
1. Gastroenteritis characterized mainly by diarrhea and foul-smelling feces containing blood and mucosa belongs to the heat-toxin entering-blood type. Western medicine treatment often fails to cure it after prolonged treatment, with the condition fluctuating between better and worse. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment should clear heat and detoxify, cool the blood and stop dysentery, and cool the blood and stop bleeding.
2. Prevention: Strengthen feeding and management, pay attention to forage quality, use labor reasonably, and disinfect the pens and livestock bodies regularly.