STUDIES ON POLYTHENE BAG RUMINAL IMPACTION IN SHEEP
STUDIES ON POLYTHENE BAG RUMINAL IMPACTION IN SHEEP
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Date
1998-04
Authors
SANNI, BOLANLE DUPE
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Abstract
The incidence and course of rumen impaction (RI) with indigestible garbage in sheep
with experimentally induced polythene bag (Plastic bag) RI and its effect on weight gain
and other clinical parameters was investigated.
Clinic record from the Large Animal unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching
Hospital (ABUVTH), Zaria revealed that RI constituted 50.2% (117 out of 233) of rumen
disorders in small ruminants between 1984 and 1994 and is on the increase. O f the 117
cases of RI 59.8% (70) were in ewes and more frequent in yankasa breed 80.3% (94) than
in other breeds. Age distribution of RI in sheep and goats was significantly higher in older
animals than younger animals (P < 0.05). Of the 15 cases of RI in goats one case was
recorded in a male and this was in a West African Dwarf breed while the rest were recorded
in female savannah brown goats. RI occurred significantly more in the dry season
(November - April) than in the rainy season (May - October). Most complaints presented
by clients were swollen abdomen, diarrhea, off feed, gradual weight loss, intermittent
abdominal swelling, constipation, grinding of teeth, eating of garbage in pregnant animals
or animals that has just lambed. In ewes 58.6% (41 out of 70) cases of RI had a history
of lambing or being pregnant. All affected animals were raised under the traditional
management system within the township and suburban Zaria. Clinical signs recorded in small
ruminants with RI were distended left flank with palpable hard mass, reduced or lack of
rumen motility, grinding of teeth, semi solid faeces / diarrhoea, recumbency, dry muzzle,
respiratory distress, normal rectal temperature, anorexia and constipation. Clinical diagnosis
were made based on history, clinical examination necropsy. Treatment of RI cases was by rumenotomy.
In all the twenty - three cases of RI treatment by rumenotomy (18 sheep, 5 goats),
polythene bags were recovered. While 6 sheep / 3 goats had ropes and 2 sheep / 2 goats had
pieces of cloth in addition. From a pregnant 4 - year - old yankasa ewe, polythene bags
interwoven into a single entity was recovered from the rumen, weighting 1.2 kg after
washing and drying and measuring up to 90 cm.
A total of 800 small ruminants were slaughtered at Zaria abattoir between
November 1994 and January 1995 of which 187 were sheep and 613 were goats. Seventyseven
percent (144 out of 187) of sheep and 20.7% (127 out of 613) of goats were found to
have indigestible garbage weighing 0.3 to 2.5 kg in their rumen. Sex and age were found to
have a significant (P < 0.05) Interaction with RI, occurring more in females and at > 30
months of age. Breed distribution of RI in sheep was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in
yankasa (81.9%) than in other breeds. Plastic bag was the most prevalent material recovered
as observed in 85% of cases. Other materials pieces of cloth and leather, shreds of twine
and other ropes woven together into various patterns and mango seeds. Animals with RI
had a poor body condition ranging between 0 and 2.
Observations from experimentally induced polythene bag RI revealed that rectal
temperature, pulse and respiratory rates were within normal range. Rumen motility (1.5 -
2 per 2 minutes), body condition score (0-3) were significantly lower in sheep with RI. Mean
weight changes declined markedly with increase in weight of plastic bag in the rumen and
management situation. Weight loss was observed more in animals turned out to grazing
than animals individually intensively managed. (T2 and T3) animals were in slireds when recovered through a second rumenotomy at the end
of the experiment. Haemogram values were observed to be reduced except white blood cell
concentration which increased from 8,80 x 109 / L in control group (T,) to 9.8 x 109 / L and
9.70 x 109/ L in T2 and T3 respectively. Red blood cell concentration, packed cell volume,
haemoglobin concentration, total protein, blood urea nitrogen, serum alkaline phosphates and
serum albumin values were significantly low in sheep with RI while mean sodium,
potassium, magnesium and chloride values were significantly higher (P < 0.05). Rumen pH
and bacterial count decreased while protozoa count increased with treatment levels. Plain
radiographs did not show clear outline of abdominal organs. While contrasts radiographs
taken after a barium meal showed clear outline of the rumen and its content although the
contents were not identifiable.
The results of retrospective, clinical and abattoir surveys indicated that RI in small
ruminants is very common and it is an important management and environmental problem.
The resultant loss of weight, and loss through death or premature culling and high cost of
surgical treatment of RI may constitute a major economic loss to small ruminant producers
in Nigeria. The live weight of small ruminants may be affected by rumen indigestible
garbage giving a false increase of up to 2.5 kg. This study highlights the effect of plastic
bags in sheep on various parameters. The decrease or increase of any of these parameters
may be used to consider among many other causes of RI indigestible rumen materials. This
study strongly suggests the diagnosis of RI using body weight losses of sheep raised on
extensive management system. Some recommendations on control of RI in small ruminants
were proffered.
Description
A thesis Submitted to the Postgraduate School
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF SCIENCE
(VETERINARY SURGERY)
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY SURGERY AND MEDICINE
FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA.
APRIL, 1998
Keywords
POLYTHENE,, BAG,, RUMINAL,, IMPACTION,, SHEEP