Digestive disorder due to rumen drinking

Calves in which milk enters the rumen during or shortly after feeding are called rumen drinkers. The disturbed digestion results in clay-like white-grey manure, which is why these calves are also called clay eaters.

Cause

Tripe drinkers can be caused by poor conditions around feeding such as:

• Poor mixing process
• dirty buckets or chutes
• deviating drinking temperature
• deviating feeding times
• non-adjusted rations during illness

Description

In calves that drink normally, milk enters the abomasum directly during drinking through the oesophageal slit reflex. With disruption of the oesophageal slit reflex, milk enters the rumen. Milk may also flow back into the rumen after drinking from an overfull abomasum.

The milk cannot be digested in the rumen. A putrefaction of the milk occurs in the rumen, disrupting digestion. The resulting abnormal manure is clayey. Tripe drinkers are therefore also known as clay eaters. Due to disturbed digestion, the animals have a reduced growth rate, abnormal hair coat and an often swollen, hanging belly, especially after feeding. When moving the belly, sloshing noises can be heard.