Synonyms

No synonym

Name of the disease in English

Dehydration-2 of the ruminant

The disease in brief

Ruminant dehydration covers various realities: If this disorder accompanies an abomasum volvulus, dehydration is accompanied by hypochloremia, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis; if dehydration occurs following ruminal acidosis due to excess cereals, it is accompanied by acidosis and often hypocalcemia. A precise assessment by analysis is therefore very useful. The clinical assessment of ruminant dehydration is centered on the assessment of enophthalmos. This clinical assessment remains of interest because it is easy and quick; it allows treatment of hypovolemia which will improve renal function.

Clinic & diagnosis

For a ruminant, moderate enophthalmos is noted, corresponding to a sinking of the eye into the orbit of 4 to 5 mm; a hollow of a few millimeters is noted at the internal corner of the eye.

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

Confirm a suspicion?

Diagnostic tests that can be performed at the bedside in rural medicine are more affordable. A blood test can be used to assess the main elements in the stable.

Prognosis and treatment

Rehydration is desirable by perfusion of:

– NaCl 0.9% or Glucose 10 or 20% depending on measured blood sugar.

– NaCl 7.2%, 2 to 4 mL/kg body weight with drinking water ad libitum.

Prevention

Prevention is first of all that of the problem at the origin of dehydration; however, it is necessary to ensure the quality of watering of calves in pre-weaning: Accessibility and operation of waterers.

References