ABSTRACT
CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Dietary management as well as the type and quantity of particular feeds determines the extent of rumen fill, the frequency of ruminal contractions and faecal consistency. Cattle fed fibrous diets have a more distended rumen than those fed predominantly concentrates and they pass more formed faeces. Auscultation reveals two primary cycles followed by one secondary cycle occurring every two minutes or so. It is important to remember what is normal (128), so that any abnormalities can be identified (129). The influence of advancing pregnancy on abdominal shape/fill should not be underestimated (130), particularly where there might be a twin pregnancy.
