Outbreak Of Primary Abomasal Impaction In Dairy Cattle Associated With Consumption Of Sunflower Silage

Mesquita L. P., Abreu C. C., Nogueira C. I., Pavarini S. P., Seixas J. N., Varaschin M. S., Bezerra Jr P. S. & Wouters F. 2012. [Outbreak of primary abomasal impaction in dairy cattle associated with consumption of sunflower silage.] Surto de compactacao primaria de abomaso em bovinos leiteiros associado ao consumo de silagem de girassol. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 32(6): 510-514. Setor de Patologia Veterinaria, Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Campus Universitario, Cx. Postal 3037, Lavras, MG 37200-000, Brazil. E-mail: flademir@dmv.ufla.brAn outbreak of primary abomasal impaction associated with consumption of sunflower silage occurred in a dairy cattle herd from the state of Minas Gerais. Six of 21 dry cows in late pregnancy fed with sunflower silage died. Cattle that became ill presented abdominal distension and scant and dried feces. In the animals that died, severe dehydration, pale mucous membranes, dark, sticky and stinking feces were seen. Three cows were necropsied and the main pathological findings consisted of severe abomasal distension associated with a large quantity of dried alimentary content covered by bloody clots. Ulcers were found in abomasum, with perforation in one cow. Feeding cattle with high nutritional needs, with sunflower silage of undesirable characteristics as unique source of roughage was the main cause for the abomasal impaction.