Introduction

The majority of the ruminants’ stomach affections are attributed to ingestion of foreign bodies, which may lead to loss of production and, in some cases, to death of the animal. Cattle and buffaloes are mostly affected especially in developing countries (Sharma and Kumar, 2006). Common affections in buffaloes include traumatic reticulitis (TR) and traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP). Other uncommon affections include vagus indigestion, diaphragmatic hernia (DH), and traumatic pericarditis (TP). TR has the highest prevalence among other ruminal affections (Radostits et al., 2006; Abdelaal et al., 2009).

Clinical diagnosis of ruminal diseases may be difficult because ruminal atony and abdominal discomfort may accompany many diseases (Suthar et al., 2011). Correct diagnosis of the swallowed foreign bodies in the rumen or reticulum is usually based on case history, clinical findings, radiography, and laparotomy (Radostits et al., 2006).

Swallowed foreign objects have a serious effect on animal health; it can occupy the rumen to the degree that affects the amount and digestibility of the ingested food. On the other hand, sharp metallic body may penetrate the wall of the rumen or reticulum and reach to adjacent organs and tissues, which may affect the function of the affected organs (Radostits et al., 2006) and, consequently, may affect the performance of the animal which reflects by loss of animal production. Dysfunction of organs like the liver, hearts, or lungs, in addition to the effect produced by penetration of metallic foreign bodies, may result in change of blood variables that can be used as an aid in assessing the health status of the affected animals, which constitutes the aim from the present study.

Materials and methods

Female buffaloes (n = 62) were subjected to examination at different villages in some Egyptian governorates and also at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. Animals that showed anorexia, depraved appetite, reduction of milk yield, recurrent tympany, or loss of body weight were included tentatively in the study.

All animals were firstly examined clinically according to Radostits et al. (2006), and then by using a Guardian metal detector (hand-held security metal detector, USA made) followed by the Hauptner metal detector (foreign body detector “Ferroskop 3,” CAT.-No.39500, Germany made). Ferromagnetic foreign bodies were detected by examination of the ventral and ventrolateral aspect of the caudal chest and cranial abdomen by using the metal detector.

Buffaloes subjected to study were examined by using lateral plain radiography at the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals, Assiut University. Radiographic examination included the caudal thoracic and cranial abdominal regions. All radiographic examinations were performed using a fixed radiographic apparatus (Philips, super 80 CP). Sixty to seventy kilovolts and 50–60 M.A.S. Laparo-rumenotomy operations were performed on all groups of affections except in cases of diaphragmatic hernia and traumatic pericarditis.

Whole blood samples were collected on EDTA and used for hematological analysis. Blood serum samples were separated according to Coles (1986) and used for measuring biochemical constituents using commercial kits and by means of a UV spectrophotometer (Optizen 3220 UV, Mecasys Co. Ltd., Korea). All the study procedures and the use of animals were done in accordance with the protocols approved by Assiut University animal care committee and adhered to the Egyptian legal requirements.

Statistical analysis

Data from diseased buffaloes were compared with the control group. SPSS software (version 10.0, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA; significant variations were set at P ≤ 0.05.

Results

Buffaloes were divided into eight groups: control, non-penetrating reticular foreign bodies (NPRF), traumatic reticulitis (TR), traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP), traumatic reticuloperitonitis with peri-reticular abscess (TRP + P.A.), traumatic reticuloperitonitis with vagus indigestion (TRP + VI), diaphragmatic hernia (DH), and traumatic pericarditis (TP).

Hematological findings

RBC count was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in cases of NPRF, TR, TRP, TRP + PA, and TP. Hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration showed a significant decrease in case of NPRF (P < 0.05), TRP + PA, and TP (P < 0.01), and significantly increased in case of TRP + VI (P < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in packed cell volume (PCV) in cases of NPRF (P < 0.01), TR (P < 0.05), TRP (P < 0.01), TRP + PA (P < 0.01), and TP (P < 0.01). Cases with NPRF showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in mean corpuscular volume (MCV); the latter was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in cases where buffaloes suffered from TRP + VI. Buffaloes with TRP had a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in platelet count. However, granulocyte count was increased (P < 0.05) in cases of TRP + PA and TP (Table 1) (Figs. 1 and 2).

Table 1 Values (mean ± SD) for the hematological variables in different affections of buffaloes
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Fig. 1
figure 1

A buffalo suffering from TP, showing wrinkling of mouth commissure, opening of the mouth and tongue protrusion

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Fig. 2
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A buffalo suffering from TRP + VI showing abdominal distension

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Biochemical findings

Analysis of serum biochemical variables was presented in Table 2; there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in serum albumin level in cases of NPRF, TR, and TRP. On the other hand, serum albumin level was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in cases of TRP + PA and TP. Serum globulins were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in case of TRP. A/G ratio was significantly decreased in case of TR (P < 0.01), TRP (P < 0.05), and TRP + PA (P < 0.05). Cases with TP showed significant increases (P < 0.01) in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) activities. Serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in case of TR and TRP. Serum glucose was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in case of TR. Serum phosphorus was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in case of DH. In addition, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in serum zinc in case of TP (Fig. 3).

Table 2 Values (mean ± SD) for serum biochemical constituents in control and diseased buffaloes
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Fig. 3
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A buffalo suffering from TP showing abduction of the elbow

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Discussion

Anemia was observed in cases of NPRF, TR, TRP, TRP + PA, and TP, which may be attributed to malnutrition, decrease of appropriate digestion of the ruminal ingesta, or due to hemorrhage that associated the penetration of the metallic foreign body (Vanitha et al., 2010). The non-significant change in leukocyte count may indicate chronicity of the lesions. On the other hand, the significant increase in granulocyte count in case of TP and TRP + PA may be caused by bacterial infection that passed with the penetrating foreign body and resulted in the formation of peri-reticular abscess in case of TRP + PA and could result in pericarditis in case of TP.

The significant decreases (P < 0.05) in serum albumin level in cases of TR, TRP, TRP + PA, and TP (P < 0.01) may be ascribed to acute inflammation of the traumatized tissues. In case of inflammation, the synthesis of proteins by the liver is directed toward the production of positive acute-phase proteins and deceases the synthesis of negative acute-phase proteins like albumin. On the other hand, malnutrition and improper digestion of nutrients may constitute the cause behind the hypoalbuminemia in case of NPRF (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4
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Lateral plain x-ray film for the caudal thorax and cranial abdomen of a buffalo suffering from NPRF

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In this study, the increased globulins levels in case of TRP may be caused by localized inflammation of the reticulum and peritoneum at the site of penetration of the sharp metallic foreign body, which agreed with findings from previous studies (Gokce et al., 2007; El-Ashker et al., 2013). The significant increases in serum AST and CK activities (P < 0.01) in case of TP may be caused by affection of the cardiac muscles. It was established that increase of serum AST activity associates affections of the liver and cardiac and skeletal muscles. However, serum CK activity rapidly increases after damage, necrosis, or disease of cardiac or skeletal muscles (Abd Ellah et al., 2014). Results also revealed that serum GGT activity was significantly increased in case of TR and TRP, which may be occurred as a consequence to liver disease or hepatic congestion (Ghanem, 2010). Reportedly, serum GGT activity is specific for liver disorders being released from the hepatocytes and bile duct (Bouda et al. 1980 and Pearson, 1990) and it is a sensitive indicator for cholangitis or hepatitis (Craig et al., 1991).

The significant decrease in serum zinc (P < 0.05) level in case of TP and hypophosphatemia in case of DH might be associated to the scarcity of feeds, especially of minerals, or due to failure of proper digestion of nutrients as a result of reduced ruminal motility (Vanitha et al., 2010) (Figs. 5, 6, and 7).

Fig. 5
figure 5

Lateral plain x-ray film for the caudal thorax and cranial abdomen of a buffalo suffering from TP, showing a nail at the level of the heart without loss of thoracic details

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Fig. 6
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Lateral plain x-ray film for the caudal thorax and cranial abdomen of a buffalo suffering from DH showing herniated reticular content in the thoracic cavity

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Fig. 7
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Cotton bag extracted from the rumen of a buffalo

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Conclusion

It could be concluded that anemia associates most of the studied ruminal affections in buffaloes. Hematological and biochemical analytes are highly affected in case of traumatic pericarditis followed by traumatic reticulitis. Metallic foreign bodies produce a pronounced effect on blood constituents, due to affections of the internal organs especially the liver and muscles. Depraved appetite and ingestion of abnormal bodies may be ascribed to deficiency of phosphorus and/or zinc.