Ruminitis Necrótica Secundaria A Ingestión De Fibras Plásticas En Ternera Holstein: Reporte De Caso.

Abstract

This report describes the case of a 15-week-old Holstein heifer that initially presented with nonspecific clinical signs including lethargy, mild diarrhea, and hyporexia. Despite symptomatic treatment, the condition progressed rapidly to sternal recumbency, vacant stare, and progressive deterioration of general status. During clinical evaluation, ingestion of a non-metallic foreign body was considered as a differential diagnosis, which was subsequently confirmed through the extraction of plastic fibers (twine) from the rumen during necropsy. The clinical picture was attributed to chemically-mechanical rumenitis with secondary systemic involvement. The hypothesis suggests that the high-concentrate diet induced subclinical ruminal acidosis, which according to Dijkstra et al. (2018) predisposes to ruminal epithelial damage, facilitating bacterial translocation and endotoxemia following mechanical abrasion by the foreign body. This pathophysiological cascade would explain the rapid deterioration and observed sepsis. The case highlights the importance of early diagnosis of foreign bodies, which are not always detected in routine evaluations, as well as the need to implement preventive management practices. These include thorough forage inspection, removal of plastic residues when feeding hay bales, and staff education about risks associated with feed contamination.