B5

Question 1

What is rumen acidosis?

Answer 1

A metabolic disease caused by the cow consuming too much concentrate, especially the cereal grains which are rich in RAC (=Readily Available Carbohydrates)

Question 2

How many types of acidosis is there?

Answer 2

1. clinical
2. Subclinical

There is also acute or chronic

Question 3

What causes the acute acidosis?

Answer 3

Intake of high level of RAC (=Readily Available Carbohydrates)

Happens btw 2-6hrs

Question 4

What causes chronic acidosis?

Answer 4

Intake of high level of RAC with inadequate fibre supply

Question 5

When is rumen acidosis more prone to happen and why?

Answer 5

During the 1st phase of lactation

Because a huge amount of concentrates is given to high milking dairy cows to meet the energy demand

Question 6

What can an excessive amount of RAC do?

Answer 6

It causes an excess starch formation causes a increase in propionic acid and decreased rumen pH. this will again cause an increase in lactic acid production and decreasing the rumen pH further to below 5.

Also feeding more concentrate, will cause a decrease in saliva and therefore the buffer.

Question 7

What are some consequences of acidosis?

Answer 7

1. Decreased apetite
2. Ruminal tympany: build up of gas in rumen
3. Diarrhoea
4. Lamnitits
5. Liver abscess:
6. Thiamine deficiency (Vit B1: important role in carbs metabolism)

Question 8

What can be done to prevent acidosis?

Answer 8

1. Fibre supply to maintain rumen fermentation
2. Add dietary buffers: Sodium carbonate
3. Slowly introduce the cow to concentrates in the close up period