Diagnostic Approach to Forestomach Diseases.

Primary diseases of the forestomach are caused by disruptions in the ruminal wall and contraction cycle or by a disruption in the normal flora and fermentation processes. Secondary disease of the reticulorumen is caused by abnormalities in rumen contraction and/or fermentation secondary to other systemic illnesses. Rumen function is complex, and the contraction cycle and fermentation are inter-related, which allows for overlapping results in diagnostic tests. Physical examination, combined with diagnostic tests such as rumen fluid analysis, radiography, and ultrasonography, can be used to categorize and diagnose ruminant forestomach disease.