Rumen drinking is caused by failure of the reticular groove reflex and results in rumen acidosis in calves on a liquid diet.
Source: American Dairyman, May 2016, page 13.
There are a number of conditions that can make calves more susceptible to rumen drinking caused by failure of esophageal groove closure including:
- Neonatal diarrhea
- Irregular feeding times
- Low-quality milk replacer
- Milk or milk replacer fed at too cold of a temperature
- Drinking from an open bucket – gulping milk
- Tube feeding
- Stressors such as long distance transport
INSIGHTS: Veterinary teams, representatives and dealers selling milk replacers can use this information to ensure better understanding of rumen drinking. Consider using this content on websites, in newsletters or clinic blogs.