Rumen Acidosis (2024)

29 September 2022

3 minute read

Cause

The primary cause of acidosis is feeding a high level of rapidly digestible carbohydrate, such as barley and other cereals. Acute acidosis, often resulting in death, is most commonly seen in ‘barley beef’ animals where cattle have obtained access to excess feed. In dairy cattle, a milder form, sub-acute acidosis, is seen as a result of feeding increased concentrates compared to forage.

Symptoms

Acute acidosis often results in death, although illness and liver abscesses may be seen before hand. Cattle may become depressed, go off feed, have an elevated heart rate or diarrhea.

Sub-acute:

Treatment

Because subacute ruminal acidosis is not detected at the time of depressed ruminal pH, there is no specific treatment for it. Secondary conditions may be treated as needed.

Prevention

The key to prevention is reducing the amount of readily fermentable carbohydrate consumed at each meal. This requires both good diet formulation (proper balance of fiber and nonfiber carbohydrates) and excellent feed bunk management. Animals consuming well-formulated diets remain at high risk for this condition if they tend to eat large meals because of excessive competition for bunk space or following periods of feed deprivation.

Feeding excessive quantities of concentrate and insufficient forage results in a fiber-deficient ration likely to cause subacute ruminal acidosis. The same situation may be seen during the last few days before parturition if the ration is fed in separate components.

Including long-fiber particles in the diet reduces the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis by encouraging saliva production during chewing and by increasing rumination after feeding. However, long-fiber particles should not be easily sorted away from the rest of the diet; this could delay their consumption until later in the day or cause them to be refused completely.

Ruminant diets should also be formulated to provide adequate buffering. This can be accomplished by feedstuff selection and/or by the addition of dietary buffers such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium carbonate. Dietary anion-cation difference is used to quantify the buffering capacity of a diet.

Supplementing the diet with direct-fed microbials that enhance lactate utilizers in the rumen may reduce the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis. Yeasts, propionobacteria, lactobacilli, and enterococci have been used for this purpose. Ionophore (eg, monensin sodium) supplementation may also reduce the risk by selectively inhibiting ruminal lactate producers.

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Now, let's explore the comprehensive information provided in the article dated 29 September 2022, which discusses rumen acidosis, a metabolic disease in cattle.

Rumen Acidosis: A Metabolic Disease of Cattle

Rumen acidosis is a metabolic ailment characterized by a decrease in the pH of the rumen, a vital digestive compartment in cattle. The normal pH range of the rumen is 6.5 to 7.0, and acidosis occurs when it falls below 5.5, with instances where it can drop even lower. The article highlights two primary effects of this pH decrease:

Atonic Rumen and Decreased Appetite/Production: The fall in pH leads to the rumen becoming atonic, causing a cessation of movement. This, in turn, depresses appetite and production.
Alteration in Rumen Flora: The change in acidity promotes the dominance of acid-producing bacteria, worsening the acidosis. The increased acid is absorbed through the rumen wall, leading to metabolic acidosis, which, in severe cases, can result in shock and death.

Causes of Rumen Acidosis: The primary cause identified in the article is the consumption of a high level of rapidly digestible carbohydrates, such as barley and other cereals. Acute acidosis is often observed in 'barley beef' animals that have access to excess feed. In dairy cattle, a milder form, sub-acute acidosis, occurs due to increased concentrate feeding compared to forage.

Symptoms: Acute acidosis may lead to death, with signs including depression, loss of appetite, elevated heart rate, and diarrhea. Sub-acute acidosis manifests as reduced feed intake, poor body condition, weight loss, unexplained diarrhea, and changes in vital signs.

Treatment: There is no specific treatment for subacute ruminal acidosis if not detected at the time of depressed ruminal pH. Treatment is focused on managing secondary conditions as needed.

Prevention: Prevention is emphasized in the article, with key strategies including:

Diet Formulation: Ensuring a proper balance of fiber and nonfiber carbohydrates in the diet.
Feed Bunk Management: Avoiding excessive competition for bunk space and preventing periods of feed deprivation.
Including Long-Fiber Particles: Reducing the risk by encouraging saliva production and increasing rumination after feeding.
Dietary Buffering: Formulating diets to provide adequate buffering, using substances like sodium bicarbonate or potassium carbonate.
Supplementation: Adding direct-fed microbials or ionophores to reduce the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis.

By implementing these preventive measures, cattle owners and caretakers can effectively manage and reduce the incidence of rumen acidosis in their herds.