ACIDOSIS

  • Excessive accumulation of volatile fatty acids in the rumen decreases the pH causing acidosis.

Etiology

  • Accidental ingestion of excessive carbohydrate containing feed.
  • Over feeding of grains
  • Feeding of decomposed silage
  • Sudden and abrupt changes in quality and quantity of concentrate feed.
  • Ingestion of kitchen garbage.

Characterised by

  • Low ruminal pH
  • Acute tympany
  • Foetiddiarrhea

Three clinical conditions are observed namely Acute Rumen Acidosis (ARA), Sub-Acute Rumen Acidosis (SARA) and Chronic Latent Rumen Acidosis (CLRA)

Clinical findings

  • Dull and depression
  • Anorexia
  • Ruminaltympany
  • Sluggish ruminal motility
  • Offensive sour smelling faeces
  • Profuse diarrhea
  • Animal disinclined to move and become recumbent
  • Nervous signs like hyper excitability, tremor are seen.

Line of treatment

  • Restrict water intake for 12 to 24 hours.
  • Provide straw
  • Correction of ruminal pH by giving systemic alkalizers like Sodium bicarbonate 2.5-5% solution 500 ml-1.0 litre mixed with Normal Saline (NS) through intravenous route. Sodium bicarbonate deficit can be calculated by the formula

Deficit = (In m Mol/l) × BW (in kg) × 0.02 (factor) m Mol kg

  • Dextrose saline 5% intravenously 2-5 litres.
  • Oral administration of buffering agent
  • Antihistaminics like Chlorpheneramine maleate.
  • A course of liver extract with Vitamin B for 3-5 days.