The structure of the stomach in ruminants and features of digestion, diseases
Raising animals on your own plot is associated with many difficulties. To fatten pets and keep them healthy, owners have to take into account the characteristics of each species. The maintenance of ruminants is directly related to the peculiarities of the structure of the stomach. The multicameral stomach consists of several sections. For proper planning of the diet, the owner must know the basics of the anatomical structure of the main organs.
Cattle stomach structure
The stomach of ruminants is a multi-chambered organ. The complex structure allows for the capture and processing of food. Features of the anatomical structure make it possible to obtain nutrients necessary for cattle from plant materials. The organs of capture in ruminants are lips, teeth and tongue. Further digestion is carried out sequentially, that is, food alternately passes through all parts of the proventriculus before it enters the true stomach.
Scar
One of the parts of the stomach called the proventriculus. This section occupies most of the abdominal cavity and is the largest organ in size. In cows, the rumen is stretched by 100-300 liters. Sheep have a rumen volume of 15 to 23 liters. The scar consists of a volumetric sac, curved in shape, with developed muscles. The purpose of the scar is the primary processing of the incoming food. One of the names of the rumen is the fermentation chamber. Up to 75 percent of the incoming feed is processed here.
Grid
The ungulate mesh is a section that is designed to filter primarily processed food. The mesh openings allow only those pieces that are partially processed in the rumen through. The wall of the mesh is lined with a mucous membrane, it is a bag with a rough surface.
Book
The department looks like a flipping book. Due to the presence of special sweets, it is in constant motion. The "leafing" of the received pieces of food allows you to mix elements with the selected enzymes and assimilate the maximum amount of fiber. Insufficiently processed pieces are sent to previous departments for more thorough chewing.
Abomasum
The fourth section of the stomach, which is the true stomach. Digestion on the surface of the abomasum is carried out by the breakdown of food pieces by acid and enzymes.The abomasum is lined with soft epithelium from the inside. The folds of the cavity produce the production of pancreatic juice. Due to the influence of juice, acids and enzymes, the process of assimilation of the necessary elements begins.
Undigested food moves towards the cecum and rectum, and then goes out to the anus to exit.
Physiological phenomena in the digestion of ruminant mammals
The digestive system of the ruminant is designed to constantly digest food. This process starts from the moment the tongue captures food and lasts several hours until the moment when processing begins inside the abomasum.
First stage
The complex structure of the multichamber stomach makes it possible to process plant food with maximum benefit for the animal. The proventriculus has a unique purpose. The initial stage begins with the throwing of food into the rumen.
Conditions that allow for efficient processing of food in the rumen:
| Condition | Description |
| Lack of oxygen | Keeps bacteria from growing too quickly |
| Elevated temperature | Softens food, making it suitable for pushing through wall holes |
| Humidity | Helps soften fiber, moistens chunks, makes them more pliable for further digestion |
Reference! It takes up to 70 minutes to process in the rumen. Most of the plant material becomes a gum product.
Definition of the phenomenon
Chewing gum is a phenomenon where the captured rumen material is repeatedly returned to the oral cavity. This feature aims at finely grinding food. The scheme of the reflex mechanism includes the contraction of fibers inherent in nature and pushing the gum from one section to another until the product takes the shape that is necessary to get into the mesh.
The chewing period lasts 1 hour. Then comes a period of rest, but in the normal state of the animal, stomach contractions persist. The result of the contraction is the production of saliva. After the end of the rest period, the chewing process is again activated. Chewing gum is an important phenomenon in the complex digestive system.
Information! The chewing gum doesn't stop at nightfall.
Further processing of food components
The digestive system of artiodactyls is designed to digest large amounts of plant and protein feed. The digestion process continues on the surface of the book. Between the "leaves", the incoming particles are additionally fermented, lose moisture, and are enriched with the isolated animal protein.
Glands
In cloven-hoofed animals, the pancreas, which produces the juice necessary for digestion, is located along the duodenum. The lobular structure provides the supply of the necessary products of activity to the stomach.
Common pathologies
Digestive system pathologies lead to a change in the general condition of animals. Some disorders lead to complex, irreversible diseases.
Bloating
Bloating, or tympation, is a dangerous condition that leads to a blockage in the esophagus. Reasons for bloating:
- a sharp change in diet;
- eating large chunks;
- eating food that contributes to gas formation.
Bloating is diagnosed by the animal's refusal to eat. The abdomen doubles in size. Cows lack gum and show anxiety or apathy. Severe manifestations are characterized by the development of shortness of breath, blanching of the mucous membranes, an increase in normal temperature.
To help the animal, take the following measures:
- stimulate the stomach with medications ("Tympanol", "Magnesia", activated carbon);
- remove large pieces from the esophagus with a probe;
- in case of complications, the scar is perforated with a trocar.
Stop
Stopping the work of the stomach or the absence of contractions is a serious pathology that disrupts the general condition of the body. The reason for the stop is a complete blockage of the esophagus. This is due to improper feeding. The stop indicates that the animal's diet is not balanced, concentrated feed predominates.
Stopping control measures:
- gastric lavage;
- scar massage;
- drinking hellebore tincture, saline, vodka with oil.
Blockage
The blockage of the book entails the stop of other departments. This pathology occurs due to the predominance of dry, grain or concentrated feed. This may be due to the presence of sand or dirt in the food. Blockage leads to a complete cessation of the stomach, so the symptoms of the phenomenon are similar to a stop. Debris control measures:
- gastric lavage;
- the use of hellebore tincture, vegetable oil, vodka, moonshine;
- scar massage.
Advice! A blockage can be diagnosed by a stomach puncture. If the needle is heavily inserted, the diagnosis can be considered confirmed.
Injury
The injury is related to the ingestion of foreign objects. There are known cases of animals swallowing nails, wire, pieces of lime, wood chips, sharp stones. These objects are capable of piercing the walls of the scar, breaking through the mesh, or sticking into nearby organs. If any foreign material is found to have been swallowed, immediate action is required. Signs of a dangerous condition:
- complete loss of appetite;
- stretching the neck;
- attempts to swallow;
- adoption of unnatural postures by animals;
- possible increase in body temperature.
The way out of the situation is gastric lavage. If metal objects are swallowed, a magnetic probe is used to examine the esophagus. If the object is stuck in the stomach, the animal is subjected to surgery. It can be difficult to leave the animal after the intervention, so it is taken to the slaughter.
Trauma is a serious problem faced in the management of cattle. A preventive measure is considered regular cleaning, maintaining cleanliness in places of detention and monitoring the quality of feed.
