disorders Flashcards
which animals are at high risk of acidosis
intensively finished cattle high concentrate diets
dairy cows in early lactation
what pH shows animals have acidosis
less than 5.5 in 3/12 animals
what % of cows is it present in
20-40% of confined systems
10-15% grazing cows
key cases will see SARA in grazing systems
high digestibility
low DM concentration
low sward heights
what are the2 effects of fall in pH
- rumen movement stops and becomes atonic
- alters the rumen microflora
pH for SARA compared to acute acidosis
5.5 SARA
5.0 acute
how does pH reduce
ingestion of carbs in excess of rumen fermenting capabilities
care with ad-lib feeding
- introductory period 2-3 weeks
- require 10% of diet to be roughage
cascade effects of SARA
impaired animal health
lower body condition
liver abcesses
laminitis
epithelium/ rumenitis
cause pain and contribute to intake depression during SARA
incidences of liver abscesses due to SARA
20-30%
what is caudal vena cava syndrome
sudden death due to haemorrhage in lungs
indicators of SARA
feed behaviour
faecal changes
low milk fat concentration
lameness
what should milk fat protein ratio be above
1.15 : 1
what should lamintis incidences be below
15%
how to know good feed behaviour
at least 50% of animals chewing cud at any 1 time
how can rumen fluid sample be taken
from the ventral sac of rumen using 10cm 16 gauge needle
important info on collecting rumen fluid
12 cows 2-4 hours after concentrate meal
pH should be 6-7
if 3 below 5.5 SARA present
dietary strategies reduce acidosis
gradual adaption
diet formulation and fibre (25% NDF)
monitor inclusion levels
sorting
