ANFS251 Lecture Notes - Lecture 25: Rumen, Hypocalcaemia, Abomasum
22 May 2019
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Document Summary
Rumen acidosis is a metabolic disease of cattle. Acidosis is said to occur when the ph of the rumen falls to less than 5. 5 . The change in acidity changes the rumen flora, with acid-producing bacteria taking over. They produce more acid, making the acidosis worse. The increased acid is then absorbed through the rumen wall, causing metabolic acidosis, which in severe cases can lead to shock and death. Cause: the primary cause of acidosis is feeding a high level of rapidly digestible carbohydrate. In dairy cattle, acidosis, is seen as a result of feeding increased concentrates compared to forage. Symptoms: reduced feed intake, poor body condition and weight loss, lethargy. Milk fever is a disorder mainly of dairy cows close to calving. It is a metabolic disease caused by a low blood calcium level (hypocalcaemia). Symptoms: in typical cases cows show some initial excitement or agitation and a tremor in muscles of the head and limbs.
