Hardware disease is a common term for bovine traumatic reticuloperitonitis. It is usually caused by the ingestion of a sharp, metallic object. These pieces of metal settle in the reticulum, and can irritate or penetrate the lining.[1] It is most common in dairy cattle, but is occasionally seen in beef cattle. It is very rarely reported in any other ruminants.[2] It can be difficult to conclusively diagnose and it can be prevented by the oral administration of a magnet before the cow reaches the age of one.[2]
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Cattle commonly swallow foreign objects, because they do not use their lips to discriminate between materials and they do not completely chew their feed before swallowing. Sharp metallic objects, such as nails or wire, are the common initiators of hardware disease.[2] The object travels into the rumen and is then pushed into the reticulum along with the rest of the feed.[3] In some cases, contractions of the reticulum can push the object through part of the reticulum wall into the peritoneal cavity, where it causes severe inflammation.[3] In rare cases, the metal object is penetrates the entire wall of the reticulum and can pierce the heart sac, causing pericarditis.[1] Compression by the uterus in late pregnancy, straining during parturition and mounting during estrus can increase the likelihood of the object penetrating the abdominal wall or the heart sac.[2]
Diagnosis is typically based on history and clinical findings when the veterinarian examines the cow.[2] Symptoms of hardware disease vary depending on where the object penetrates.[3] The cow exhibits an arched back, a reluctance to move and a slow, careful gait. The cow may groan when lying down, getting up, defecating and urinating. The heart rate is normal or slightly elevated, and the respiration is shallow and rapid.[2] In dairy cows, there is often a decrease in milk production.[3] Laboratory tests are not always necessary, but increases in fibrinogen and total plasma protein often result from Hardware disease and may be diagnosed with a blood sample.[2] Electronic metal detectors can be used, but not all heavy sharp objects will be metal[3] and it does not distinguish between penetrating and nonpenetrating bodies.[2] Radiographs are also used and are advantageous because the location of the metallic body can be identified.[2] However, if the sharp object is not metallic or dense enough the radiograph is of no use.[3] If there is inflammation in the peritoneal cavity or the heart sac, it can be detected using an ultrasonograph.[2]
If Hardware disease is suspected, a magnet should be administered orally through a tube into the rumen. Even if the animal already has one magnet, there is no harm in inserting a second. A broad-spectrum antibiotic should also be given to control infection. The cow should be confined and movement limited in the hopes that the reticulum can repair the hole.[3] Surgery is necessary in some cases and involves rumenotomy with a physical removal of the object. In some advanced cases that don’t respond to medical or surgical therapy, slaughter should be considered from an economic perspective.[2]
The best prevention is administering a magnet after fasting the cow for 18–24 hours. This is most effective if done to the entire herd before the age of one. Good feed management is also important, in smaller operations some farmers pass metal detectors or magnets over the feed.[2]