Reticular groove contraction in dairy cattle following drenching with an anti-bloat solution or a combination of anti-bloat solution and NaCl

Abstract AIM: To determine whether the inclusion of NaCl in an anti-bloat drench increased the incidence of contraction of the reticular (oesophageal) groove in cattle. METHODS: Non-lactating Friesian dairy cows aged 3-10 years (n=30) were subjected to a 13C-octanoic-acid breath test after being drenched with either an anti-bloat solution alone or a mixture of anti-bloat solution and NaCl, to determine the incidence of reticular groove contraction. RESULTS: Drenching with an anti-bloat solution alone did not result in detectable by-pass of the reticulorumen in 27/29 cows; minor by-pass occurred in 2/29 cows. The inclusion of NaCl in the anti-bloat solution increased the incidence of reticulorumen by-pass; minor by-pass occurred in 12/30 cows and substantial by-pass was detected in 5/30 cows. The incidence of by-pass did not vary significantly with cow age. CONCLUSIONS: Drenching with an anti-bloat solution alone did not result in significant by-pass of the reticulorumen. The inclusion of NaCl in the anti-...