Medicinal management of rumen collapse in Bubalus bubalis

Rumen collapse is a rare condition usually seen in cattle with severe primary inflammatory diseases. This case report describes 6‐year‐old pregnant buffalo brought to Large Animal Outpatient Medicine Unit at college hospital with history of prolonged inappetence, dark‐coloured urine and collapsed left paralumbar fossa and last three ribs. Clinical examination revealed no rumen movements along with abdominal ping upon simultaneous auscultation and percussion. Per rectal examination showed collapsed dorsal sac of the rumen and ventral displacement of left kidney into mid‐abdomen. Rumen fluid analysis revealed complete absence of protozoal motility and non‐significant alterations in haematological parameters. The buffalo was suspected to have rumen collapse based on clinical examination. Successful treatment involved administering normal saline, calcium salt and broad‐spectrum antibiotics. Following 15 days of therapy, rumen and ribs returned to their normal positions and animal resumed feeding. This is the first reported case of rumen collapse in buffaloes in India.