The present study evaluated efficacy of a multi-component nutritional supplement on ruminal disorders in lactating cows by assessing clinical, physiological, ruminal, haematological, fecal and milk production parameters. Observations recorded at different time intervals (day 0, 5 and 7) provided insights into the progression and recovery pattern in treated animals compared to controls. The findings are discussed in relation to improvements in rumen function, microbial activity and overall health status.
Physiological and clinical examination
The physiological and clinical parameters in cows affected with simple indigestion showed anorexia, mild depression, reduced feces which were initially dry and and later became softer, voluminous and malodorous consistent with
Kasaralikar et al., (2014); Syed et al., (2017) and
Constable (2017). The heart rate, respiration rate and rectal temperature remained within normal limits and comparable to controls as presented in Table 1. Post-treatment, no significant changes (p<0.05) occurred except a slight heart rate increase in Group III (p = 0.048), remaining within normal range, similar to previous reports
(Kasaralikar et al., 2014; Syed et al., 2017; Constable et al., 2017).
Ruminal motility (Table 1) showed non-significant variation in Group I, while indigestion-affected cows in Groups II and III exhibited reduced baseline motility on Day 0, consistent with earlier reports
(Walia et al., 2011; Kasaralikar et al., 2014). Group II showed significant improvement during treatment, whereas Group III demonstrated a highly significant progressive increase from 1.33±0.21 to 2.83±0.17 (p = 0.000), with Day 5 and Day 7 values significantly higher than baseline. This restoration approached normal ruminal motility (~3 contractions/2 minutes) as reported by
Chakrabarti (2014) and
Constable et al., (2017). Among all groups, Group III showed the greatest improvement.
In Group I, the left paralumbar fossa was normal, whereas mild distension was observed in a few cows (n = 5) in Groups II and III and the remaining (n = 13) showed a firm, doughy rumen. These findings agree with
Constable et al., (2017). Post-treatment, all cows in Groups II and III showed normal paralumbar fossa, indicating resolution of distension, consistent with
Walia et al., (2011) and
Hussain and Uppal (2012).
Appetite remained normal in Group I, while reduced appetite was observed in all affected cows before treatment, as also reported by
Constable et al., (2017). Post-treatment, normal appetite was restored in all cows of Groups II and III, indicating effective clinical recovery.
Rumen fluid examination
Physical examination
Healthy cows (Group I) exhibited greenish to yellowish-brown rumen fluid with aromatic odour and viscous-to-thick consistency
(Handekar et al., 2010; Kasaralikar et al., 2014). In simple indigestion, it changed to yellowish-green to light brown with occasional ammoniacal odour and watery to semi-solid consistency
(Handekar et al., 2010). Post-treatment in Groups II and III, parameters normalized, indicating restoration of rumen function
(Waghmare et al., 2009). Observations are presented in Table 2.
Physicochemical and microbiological findings
The mean rumen liquor pH remained within the normal range in control cows (
Chakrabarti, 2014;
Constable et al., 2017), while significantly higher values (p<0.01) were observed in Groups II and III before treatment, indicating ruminal alkalinization
(Biswal et al., 2016). Post-treatment, pH declined significantly in Groups II and III, reaching near-normal levels by Day 5 and Day 7.
Protozoal counts in Group I showed a mild, non-significant increase, while Groups II and III had significantly lower counts pre-treatment with marked post-therapy improvement, especially in Group III (p<0.05), consistent with
Mohan et al., (2015). This recovery is closely linked to rumen pH, as protozoa are highly pH-sensitive (
Granja-Salcedo et al., 2016) and ruminal acidosis reduces microbial balance through excess volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and lactic acid formation
(Biswal et al., 2016). Protozoa play a key role in fermenting carbohydrates into acetic and butyric acids (
Chakrabarti, 2014), so their restoration indicates improved fermentation efficiency (
Petrovski, 2016).
TVFA levels remained normal in Group I (6-12 mEq/dl;
Chakrabarti, 2006), while Groups II and III showed significant changes (p<0.01), with Group III exhibiting increased levels
(Bhatt et al., 2009). Ammonia nitrogen remained stable in Group I but improved significantly in Group III, indicating enhanced microbial protein synthesis
(Shen et al., 2023). Mean values are presented in Table 3.
Hematological findings
The results of hematological examination of all groups are presented in Table 4. Haemoglobin and total erythrocyte count increased significantly in Groups II and III, while total leukocyte count decreased significantly, indicating recovery. Other leukocyte parameters remained mostly unchanged. These findings align with earlier studies
(Kasaralikar et al., 2014; Syed et al., 2017).
Fecal examination
Fecal examination showed normal greenish-brown, semisolid feces in Group I
(Biswal et al., 2016). In Groups II and III, feces were yellowish-brown, loose and foul-smelling, indicating impaired fermentation
(Biswal et al., 2016; Petrovski, 2016). Post-treatment, Group II partial improvement, while Group III showed rapid normalization and fastest resolution of diarrhea which was clinically significant
(Handekar et al., 2010; Bhatt et al., 2009; Kasaralikar et al., 2014; Syed et al., 2017).
Milk production and quality
Milk examination results (Table 5) showed stable milk yield in Group I (P = 0.547), reflecting normal variation in healthy cows. In contrast, Groups II and III exhibited highly significant increases in milk yield (P = 0.000), with Group III showing the highest production by Day 7, consistent with reports on probiotic and herbal supplementation improving lactation
(Bhatt et al., 2009; Yalcin et al., 2011; Garg et al., 2025).
Milk pH showed a mild, significant rise in Groups II (P = 0.087) and III (P = 0.041), while remaining stable in Group I (P = 0.361), indicating improved udder health. Milk protein remained largely unchanged across all groups (3.07–3.77%)
(Lingathurai et al., 2009; Hossain et al., 2010), with no significant variation (P>0.05), though Group III showed a slight increase.
Milk fat increased significantly in Groups II (P = 0.002) and III (P = 0.000), with highest values in Group III, reflecting improved metabolic status. Similarly, SNF increased significantly only in Group III (P = 0.002), while Groups I and II showed no significant change (P = 0.547; P = 0.397), aligning with
Jawale et al., (2022); Chappalwar et al., (2014) and
Ali Ibrahim et al. (2012). Overall, Group III showed the most consistent improvement across all milk parameters.
The therapeutic efficacy of all treatment regimens was assessed based on clinical recovery, normalization of rumen function and milk parameters. Group III (nutritional supplement) showed the fastest and most effective recovery, with all cows fully recovered by days 3-5, whereas Group II (standard treatment) recovered by Days 5-7, indicating effectiveness but slower response. Overall, nutritional supplementation significantly improved rumen function, digestion and productivity, demonstrating superior efficacy in managing ruminal disorders in cattle.