How to prevent and treat abomasal impaction in sheep? A detailed guide to practical methods
Abomasal impaction in sheep, also known as abomasal food accumulation, is mainly caused by dysfunction of vagal nerve regulation, in which abomasal contents stagnate, the stomach wall dilates, volume increases, and an obstruction forms, secondarily leading to omasal impaction, causing an extremely severe pathological process of digestive dysfunction, rumen fluid accumulation, autointoxication and dehydration, and often leading to death.
Expert analysis of the disease. (1) Causes: mainly caused by improper feeding management and feed changes; some cases result from pica caused by disorders of digestive and metabolic function; it is also seen in dysfunction of vagal nerve regulation, secondarily to ruminal atony, abomasitis, small intestinal impaction, traumatic reticuloperitonitis and other diseases.
(2) Symptoms: in the early stage, ruminal atony, reduced or absent appetite, reduced urine output, and dry feces; as the disease progresses, rumination stops, the abdomen noticeably enlarges, intestinal sounds are weak, and sometimes a small amount of pasty brown foul-smelling feces is passed, mixed with a small amount of mucus.
(3) Diagnosis: a. Carefully investigate whether there is a history of ingesting foreign objects; b. Determine whether the digestive dysfunction shown by the sick sheep is progressive, that is, appetite goes from reduced to completely lost, rumination goes from reduced frequency to stopped, and gastric peristaltic sounds gradually weaken until they disappear; c. Drug treatment has poor effects, and may even worsen the condition.
Expert treatment. (1) Prevention: strengthen feeding management, remove pathogenic factors, feed at fixed times and in fixed amounts, and provide high-quality feed and clean drinking water. Scientifically formulate the daily ration and provide a complete diet to prevent pica caused by a lack of nutrients. At the same time, strengthen feeding management, ensure the hygiene and cleanliness of the sheep shed, exercise yard, and forage and feed, and strictly prevent foreign objects from mixing into the forage.
(2) Treatment: a. In the early stage, eliminate accumulation and resolve stagnation, and prevent spoilage and inhibit fermentation: sodium sulfate 12 g, vegetable oil 50 mL, glycerin 30 mL, and normal saline 100 mL, mixed and injected into the abomasum; in the later stage, prevent dehydration, and avoid using purgatives. b. In the middle stage, improve nervous system regulation, strengthen gastrointestinal function, enhance cardiac function to promote circulation, and prevent dehydration and autointoxication. 10% sodium chloride 20 mL, 20% caffeine sodium benzoate 3 mL, and 5% glucose saline 150 mL, injected intravenously. Vitamin C 1-2 mL injected intramuscularly; in addition, antibiotics can be used to prevent secondary infection. c. Drug treatment for abomasal impaction is mostly ineffective. After diagnosis, rumenotomy should be performed promptly to remove the contents and flush the omasum and abomasum to achieve clearance.