Vol. 8, Special Issue 4 (2023)

Proper digestion and assimilation of feed impacts the productivity of animals and thus the economy of livestock farmers. Anorexia caused by indigestion, and tympany are the most common dysfunctions of rumen among cattle that are commonly associated with abnormal quality and quantity of feed and its ingredients. In the present study, 30 cattle presented with anorexia, suspended rumination, tympany, drop in milk yield, and generalized weakness were subjected to thorough physical examination and rumen liquor analysis. Subsequently, they were diagnosed with rumen acidosis (16), bloat (8), and simple indigestion (6). The rumen liquor was milky white in colour, viscous consistency, and had an acidic odour, with a pH ranging from 5.5-6.8. Rumen microbes were very much less with sluggish motility to complete dead protozoa. Following treatment with an ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM), Rumifi-H @ 30 g as electuary with jaggery, improvement in clinical signs was noticed from day 3 in 80% of the affected cattle and whereas 100% recovery was noticed by day 5. The herbal constituents present in the Rumifi-H act as stomachic and rumenotoric that induce reticulon-rumen contractions and gastrointestinal motility. These ingredients also have antioxidant properties which also act as buffering agents thus improving digestion. Hence, the EVM Rumifi-H can be used as an herbal mixture against rumen acidosis, bloat and simple indigestion in cattle.