Rumen Transfaunation: A Useful Tool in Field Practice

Rumen transfaunation is a valuable technique we use to support cattle dealing with indigestion. The process involves transferring rumen fluid from a healthy donor animal into a sick one, usually via an orogastric tube or directly into the rumen. The goal is to help restore healthy rumen function by repopulating the microbial community.

Research has shown the benefits of this approach. In one study, cows recovering from left displaced abomasum (LDA) surgery that received 10 liters of rumen contents had improved milk production, ate more, and were less likely to have ketonuria (Rager et al., 2004).

In hospital settings, rumen fluid is often collected from fistulated cows. However, in the field, we typically collect rumen fluid through an orogastric tube from a healthy donor animal. While this method limits how much fluid we can collect (usually not more than a few liters), it can still make a difference. Another study found that administering 1 versus 5 liters of rumen contents had no significant difference in effect. Both 1 and 5 L of rumen content compared to 5 L of water helped sick animals recover faster (Steiner et al., 2019).

Improvements seen with transfaunation include:

  • Higher numbers of rumen protozoa, with more vital protozoa
     
  • Shorter methylene blue reduction time (a measure of rumen microbial health)
     
  • Faster recovery from the primary disease
     

In our own field experience, we've seen some good results using transfaunation in calves with recurrent bloat. It would likely also have positive impacts on cattle with poor appetite, rumen acidosis, or recovering from surgery.

If you're seeing cattle with digestive issues, transfaunation can be a cost-effective way to support their recovery. Let us know if you’d like to discuss how to implement it in your operation or if you need help collecting donor fluid. We also do have a donor on payroll if you would like to coordinate to pick up a rumen juice cocktail! 

Dr. Claire DiLeo

 

References (APA 7th Edition)

Rager, K. D., George, L. W., House, J. K., & DePeters, E. J. (2004). Evaluation of rumen transfaunation after surgical correction of left-sided displacement of the abomasum in cows. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 224(3), 395–401. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2004.224.395

Steiner, S., Linhart, N., Neidl, A., Baumgartner, W., Tichy, A., & Wittek, T. (2019). Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of rumen transfaunation. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 33(2), 634–640. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15398