WEATHERING IN CATTLE

Meteoritis is manifested by a pronounced swelling of the rumen of the ruminant. This multifactorial disease can be observed in two forms: the gaseous form and the foamy form. The gaseous form, which evolves very rapidly, is generally due to an obstruction of the esophagus by a foreign body (wire, nail, whole fruit…) or by pressure on the vagal nerve which reduces the motricity of the rumen and prevents the gas from being eructated towards the outside. 

The foamy form, which is the most frequent form in beef cattle, is not yet fully understood by scientists, but many risk factors seem to be strongly linked to its occurrence, among which we mention in the first place, feeding or grazing on wet grass or on highly digestible young plants. Indeed, the ruminal microflora will quickly decompose them and release soluble proteins and chloroplasts, thus favoring the formation of foam that could block the gases in the rumen. Moreover, the sensitivity of animals to weathering could be considered as a hereditary trait linked to salivation in quantity and composition. 

OUR PREVENTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS 

• Offer dry coarse hay to satiety before grazing or feeding 
•  Distribute grass and legume mixtures for feeding 
•  Observe animals during grazing and rumination 
• Oils are effective in preventing and treating weathering because they break down foam in the rumen 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU EXPERIENCE WEATHERING 

• Contact a veterinarian as soon as signs appear 
• Encourage animals to move, elevate the front end, massage the abdomen and stimulate salivation 
• Check for physical obstruction by a foreign body 
• Introduce an esophageal tube and administer anti-foaming agents such as kerosene oils 
• Puncture the rumen by inserting a trocar