SARA

Question 1

Rumen pH

Answer 1

Ideal pH 6-7
Acidic - kills microbes
More lactobacilli growth (lactic)
Digestion efficiency lowers
Undigests particles pass to hind gut
- Osmotic D+, colonic acidosis

Question 2

Factors affecting pH

Answer 2

Amount of VFAs produced
Type of acid produced
Rate of fermentation
- fibre / concentrates
Rate of acid removal
Saliva buffering (bicarb)
- long fibre chewing

Question 3

Risk factors for SARA

Answer 3

Insufficient long fibre
Inaccurate DM estimation
Overmixing TMR
Excess diet sugars
Poor dry cow management
Slug feeding concentrates
Irregular feeding
Poor cow comfort

Question 4

SARA signs

Answer 4

Herd problem
30% with pH <5.5
Most common nutrition disorder
Excess weight loss
Overall poor health
Loose faeces, swishy tails, undigested particles in faeces

Question 5

Effects of SARA

Answer 5

Less DMI
Less digestibility
- less intake, NEB
Immunosuppression
- Dz risk

Question 6

Production effects

Answer 6

Poor yields
Lower quality

Question 7

Health effects

Answer 7

LDA
Upset digestion
Ketosis (NEB)
Sub-clin - laminitis
Mastitis
Dz
Poor conception rates

Question 8

SARA Dx

Answer 8

CS
Observation
Faeces
Hx
Measure rumen pH (GOLD)
- herd test 2hr post feeding pH 6-7

Question 9

Acute ruminal acidosis

Answer 9

PathoPhys
- excess acid, pH <5
- mostly lactic (no metabolism)
Overeating grain
Sheep - pre lambing/ pet sheep

Question 10

CS ARA

Answer 10

Bloat
Ataxia
D+
Depression
Recumency

Question 11

Triage

Answer 11

Mild - mostly normal
Sub-Ac: fairly bright, eats, not ataxic
Ac: ataxic, anorexic, dilated pupils
Per-Ac: recumbent, blind, dehydration

Question 12

Tx rumen acidosis

Answer 12

Mild - give hay and observe
Sub-Ac: oral antacids (Mg(OH)2), hay
Per-Ac: rumenotomy (empty)
- 5L Na bicarb, fluids
Other Tx
NSAID
Ca borogluconate
Restrict water
Ab

Question 13

Rumenotomy

Answer 13

Emergency Sx
Recumbent
Local block
18” incision
Pack towels
Open and empty rumen
Not Sterile