SARA Flashcards
What is SARA?
- sub-acute ruminal acidosis
- SARA is characterized by repeated bouts of low rumen pH, but unlike the situation with acute acidosis, the pH recovers after each bout
- These bouts of low pH typically last for several minutes to several hours
Low pH + excess starch = rapid fermentation
Low pH + insufficient fibre = decrease rumination
SARA predisposition
Excess starch
- High concentrate feeding
- Slug feeding (molasses or maize feeding)
Lack of fibre
- Dietary sorting
- Low fibre in the diet
Decreased intakes
- Heat stress
- Poor cow comfort
-Poor transition cow management
SARA Clinical signs
- BCS loss
- Variable faecal consistency
- Reduced:
– Rumen contractility
– Rumination
– Feed intake
– Rumen fill - Periodic anorexia
- Increased faecal contamination of tail, rump and perineum
- Ejected cud balls
SARA associated conditions
- Milk yield suppression
- Milk fat suppression
- Liver abscess
- Caudal vena cava syndrome*
SARA diagnosis
- rumen fluid sampling via:
– stomach tube
-> saliva can affect sampling from stomach tubing
-> throw away first bit so have less contamination
– rumenocentesis
need to sample 5-10 cows.
pH will be lower than 5.5.
SARA Monitoring
Regular Monitoring:
- Regularly monitor the rumen pH, especially in high-risk periods such as post-partum and during diet changes
Manure Observation:
- Observe manure consistency
- Loose manure with undigested grains can be an indicator of SARA
Sensors:
- Drop in rumination and rumen pH (indwelling boluses)
SARA Prevention and control measures
Diet management:
- Gradual increase of concentrate in the diet post-partum
- Adequate intake of physically effective fibre (peNDF)
- Use of starches that are slowly fermentable
Feed space:
- Sufficient feeding space for each cow
Feed Additives:
- Use feed additives like buffers (e.g., sodium bicarbonate)
SARA tx
- oral fluids with bicarbonate
