Hardware disease

A cow magnet, which can be used to prevent hardware disease
Cattle feeding from a haybale in a hay rack
Cattle feeding from a manger inside their barn
Cattle receiving veterinary care on the farm

Hardware disease in livestock is traumatic puncture of the gastrointestinal tract with resultant spread of infection, caused by ingestion of a sharp, hard object, usually a piece of hardware (hence the name). 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, but can be prevented by the oral administration of a magnet around the time that the animal reaches the age of one year.[2] Depending on where the infection spreads, the medical names for it include bovine traumatic reticuloperitonitis and bovine traumatic reticulopericarditis.

  1. ^ Bonnard L. Moseley (1993). "Hardware Disease of Cattle" (PDF). University of Missouri Extension. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
  2. ^ a b The Merck Veterinary Manual. "Traumatic Reticuloperitonitis". Retrieved 2018-06-15.