This section is on cattle cardiac topics. These are all questions that have been submitted or that I have been inspired to talk about because of a question submitted. If you have any topics that you would like to have discussed please feel free to email me with the topic or question.
To understand hardware disease you must first understand the way the organs are placed in cattle. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the abdomen (belly) from the thorax (chest). The second compartment of cattle's stomach, the reticulum, sits right up against the diaphragm in the abdomen. The heart sits right against the diaphragm on the thorax side. If a cow (or bull) swallows a nail or wire of anything hard and rigid, it quickly ends up in the reticulum. When the reticulum contracts, if the nail, etc is oriented properly it can penetrate the reticulum, the diaphragm, and even the heart. As it penetrates it carries bacteria with it leading to the establishment of an infection in the heart. The infection impairs heart function which compromises blood flow and can lead to death if untreated.
I have researched and answered these questions to the best of my ability. But I am human and make mistakes. If there is any part of my answer that you feel is incorrect, please let me know. The last thing I want is to disseminate false or incorrect information.