Cause

One of the more common manifestations occurs when the stomach tube is placed in the trachea (windpipe) rather than the oesophagus of young calf which needs to be stomach tubed. The other common manifestation occurs in cows in lateral recumbency (typically as a result of milk fever) and they inhale their own rumen contents.

Symptoms

In most cases, it is fatal and death can occur quickly. If death does not occur immediately, it usually causes fibrinous pleuropneumonia.

Treatment

Treatment in adult cattle which inhaled rumen contents is usually hopeless. Treatment in a calf which has inhaled fluids is dose dependent and may succeed where a small volume has been inhaled. Such treatment involves antimicrobial and anti-flammatory treatment until signs of respiratory disease resolve.

Prevention and control

The major risk associated with stomach tubing calves is inhalation pneumonia. Therefore it is well worth taking proper care with this procedure.

Calves should be put lying on the right side, as the trachea is on the right side. The oesophagus is a collapsible organ and will expand as the stomach tube passes down through it. Therefore unless you can see the tube passing through the oesophagus, assume the tube is in the trachea and start again. It is a good idea to place some lubricant on the top of the stomach tube. At all times, move the tube gently, as over vigorous placement of the stomach tube can easily bruise the stomach, and in some cases can even rupture the stomach.