Environmental waste regarding soft foreign body (plastic) - a threat to livestock health

Uncontrolled waste disposal, which includes polymers materials, wood, paper, nails, rubber, and rope, has a variety of harmful repercussions for the environment and animal health. Ruminal impaction, indigestion, repeated tympany, and a wide range of other undesirable health implications can result from the accumulation of indigestible plastic foreign bodies in the rumen of ruminants. Ruminal impaction occurs when ruminants are fed indigestible plastic waste items without proper supervision. Stray animals living in metropolitan areas of developing countries are the most likely to contract the disease. Toxins from plastic waste are released into the rumen fluid, eventually entering the food chain through milk and meat products. Human health is jeopardised by their use, causing food poisoning and severe health issues. Plastic-related ruminal impaction in ruminants can only be diagnosed and treated with exploratory rumenotomy. Good animal husbandry practices and proper disposal of plastic trash can help to eliminate this issue. Ruminal impaction in ruminants induced by plastic materials will be discussed in detail in the following sections: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostics, therapy, prevention, and management. The current chapter examines the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and management of ruminal impaction in ruminants caused by plastic materials.