RUMINAL HYPERKERATOSIS AND RUMENITIS IN YOUNG CALVES DUE TO RUMINAL DRINKING

The ruminal mucosa of 37 calves, aged up to 4 weeks and all showing >>ruminal drinking<< were examined macroscopically and histologically. In 25 cases parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and/or inflammatory processes of ruminal mucosa were present. The changes included grey colouring of villi or of more extended areas of the mucosa, clumping of villi, necrosis of mucosa with erosions or ulcers, in some cases in the cicatrization phase, and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis. The reticulum and omasum photogical changes are due to a preceding ruminal acidosis with increased production of volatile fatty acids, mainly butyric acid, and lactic acid. The observed morphological changes of the ruminal mucosa differ from those occurring in veal calves exhibiting the so-called >>ruminal drinking syndrome<<.