Ruminal acidosis- A case compilation study in SAQ teaching veterinary hospital, Bangladesh

Abstract

A 6-month comprehensive study was undertaken to find out the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment response of ruminal acidosis of cattle and goats at the SAQ Teaching Veterinary Hospital,Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University , Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: Atotal of 609 clinical cases were considered during the study period and the diagnosis of the cases was performed based on detailed history, clinical signs, and clinical examinations including color, odor and consistency of rumen fluid and rumen microflora movements. The confirmations of the cases were done by measuring the pH of the rumen fluid and the blood. Calcium level of blood was measured by biochemical analyzer to determine hypocalcaemia. Results: The overall prevalence of ruminal acidosis in ruminants were 2.6% and found no significant differences (p>0.05) between cattle (4.04%) and goat (1.9%). Moreover, there were no significant variation (p>0.05) was observed among the sex (male and female of cattle and goats were 5.1% & 3.4% and 3.3% & 2.1%, respectively), breeds (non-descriptive and descriptive breeds of cattle and Black Bengal and Jamnapari goats were 3.7% & 4.7% and 1.8% & 2.1%, respectively) and two age groups of cattle and goats (3.7% & 4.3% and 2.02% &1.8%, respectively). Among the risk factors of ruminal acidosis feeding of cooked rice was highest (50% and 62.5% in cattle and goats, respectively) followed by feeding of rice gruel (25%) and feeding jackfruit residue, potato, bread each by 12.5%. A positive correlation was observed between duration of illness and ruminal fluid pH (an increase in the duration of illness increases the ruminal fluid pH)and a negative correlation between duration of illness and blood pH (an increase in the duration of illness decreases the serum pH). Both ruminal (Orally) and systemic (I/V) alkalizer were found to be most significant (p<0.05) treatments for both cattle and goats during the study period. Conclusion: Ruminal acidosis is a vital nutritional problem in ruminants in terms of substantial health problem and economic point of views. This study recommends that farmers should abstain from feeding of the large amount of easily digestible carbohydrates to ruminants at a time. © The Authors.