The Isolation of Spherophorus Necrophorus from the Rumen Together with Some Feed Lot Data on Abscess and Telangiectasis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Packing house records involving 35,000 head of cattle in 726 lots originating from the various western states were examined. No correlation could be found between incidence of abscesses and either the source of the cattle, location of feed lot, type of feed, or length of time on feed. "Sawdust" is extremely rare in Calif. In a special study of 3 large lots of cattle there was no evidence that abscess incidence increased in the feed lot. "Telang" increased upon admission to the feed lot but subsided after 50 days. There was no evidence of relationship between "telang" and abscesses. The "telang" healed without fibrosis. Attempts to produce liver damage by a sudden change from a diet of straw and wood sulfite paper pulp to high protein concn. and alfalfa hay ad libidum were unsuccessful. Marked changes in rumen flora and pH accompanied feed changes. S. necrophorus was recovered from the rumens of 7 of 8 exptl. animals representing extremes of nutritional states and pH (5.7-7.7) and from 5 of 8 exptl. animals on a fattening ration. Two animals each were inoculated into the jugular vein with 5 ml. and 10 ml. of thioglycolate broth culture of S. necrophorus. No liver damage was apparent 2 and 3 wks. later.