Acidosis

Question 1

if the pH of the rumen decreases too much, what type pf bacteria will proliferate

Answer 1

lactobacilli (they will produce lactic acid) and digestion of food decreases in efficiency

Question 2

why is lactic acid an issue

Answer 2

killed off all the MO which can metabolise it - so it build up

Question 3

what happens when food fails to be digested (due an acidic environment)

Answer 3

it progresses along GIT. at the colon, it causes osmotic d++

Question 4

what is a sign that the colonic wall is inflamed

Answer 4

fibrin casts in faeces

Question 5

what gram stain are the bacteria based in the rumen supposed to be

Answer 5

gram +ve

Question 6

why is saliva impt to ruminants

Answer 6

full of sodium bicarbonate - used as a buffer against acidotic environment
also full of recycled urea

Question 7

what stimulates cudding

Answer 7

long fibre

Question 8

why is SARA often recurring

Answer 8

damaged rumenal papillae as acidic environments–> rumenitis

Question 9

how does nerve paralysis lead to acidosis

Answer 9

cant swallow, chew then drools and looses saliva –> no buffer –> acid

Question 10

what does SARA stand for

Answer 10

sub-acute rumenal acidosis

Question 11

why does feeding concentrates increase the likelihood of SARA

Answer 11

CHO are rapidly fermented and result in XS VFA –> in turn –> inc lactic acid. if only feeding occasionally the pH of stomach fluctuates and you risk progressing into full acidosis as each time you disrupt the micrbiome and damage the rumen papillae

Question 12

what is the significance of SARA

Answer 12

• they live with it but are always sickly —> immunosuppressive,
  NEB from reduced digestibility AND lower appetitie = Kg loss, ketosis…
  lower yield, low butterf fat
  risk of LDA (due to high VFAs in abomasum causing atony)
  dirtier - inc risk of mastitis
  reduced fertility
  higher risk of endotoxaemai etc

Question 13

what are some tangible signs of SARA

Answer 13

XS-sive tail swishing - painful!

concentrate grains or long fibre in the shit –> suggests shes failing to digest properly

Question 14

what dx tests are possible for dx SARA

Answer 14

rumen pH - measure 2-4hrs post-prandial
faecal sieving - will see long fibres and fibrin casts
BCS score loss of >0.5 since dry –> peak lactation
behaviour signs and effects

Question 15

how do you get a rumen sample?

Answer 15

restrain in crush (nose and tail)
LHS: at stifle level, 8 inches behind last rib - prepare
3-5inch needle
16-18G 
jab

Question 16

hwo do you select an appropriate sample forrumen pH monitoring

Answer 16

2 x groups: calved 14-21da (freshly calved) and calved 60-80do (peak lacation)
samples 6x cows from each group
can assess those at max DMI and those not

Question 17

whats considered the UK rumen pH cut-off

Answer 17

5.7

Question 18

what tests can you do on a TMR to assess its quality

Answer 18

penn-state separator = lots of sieves to separate how many small particles there is (these are easily digested = SARA RF)

Question 19

what is acute rumenal acidosis ARA

Answer 19

sudden XS d-lactic acid, from gorgeing on CHO usually and rumen pH <5

Question 20

what are the signs of ARA? can be acute or per-acute

Answer 20

• mild ataxia
• recumbancy
• shock
• distended rumen / +- bloat
• smelly d+++
• depressed
• blind
• DH

Question 21

how do you treat ARA

Answer 21

if mild - fee hay and leave and watch her
if acute - oral antacids (NO bicarb - MgOH instead) + hay

if per-acute - rumenotomy OR Ca-borogluconate, abx and NSAIDs

Question 22

when doe s ARA happen

Answer 22

gorging on grain
feeding systems - barley beef
sheep pre-lambing when conc allowance increased

Question 23

how do you undertake a rumenotomy

Answer 23

recumbent
18inch incision
NOT sterile