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Subacute Rumenal Acidosis (view source)
Revision as of 19:40, 26 August 2010
, 19:40, 26 August 2010→Diagnosis
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Subacute ruminal acidosis is diagnosed on a group rather than individual basis. Measurement of pH in the ruminal fluid of a representative portion of apparently healthy animals in a group has been used to assist in making the diagnosis of subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy herds. Animal selection should be from high-risk groups, eg, in the first 60 days of lactation. Ruminal fluid is collected by rumenocentesis or stomach tube and can be measured in the field using wide-range pH (2-12) indicator paper, although a pH meter yields more accurate results. Twelve or more animals are typically sampled at ~2-4 hr after a grain feeding (in component-fed herds) or 6-10 hr after the first daily total mixed ration feeding. If >25% of the animals tested have a ruminal pH <5.5, then the group is considered to be at high risk of subacute ruminal acidosis. This type of diagnostic tool should be used in conjunction with other factors such as ration evaluation, evaluation of management practices, and identification of health problems on a herd basis.
Milk fat depression is a poor and insensitive indicator of subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy herds. Cows and herds with severe subacute ruminal acidosis may have normal milk fat tests. Thus, it is vitally important not to exclude the diagnosis in a dairy herd that has a normal milk-fat test.
===Clinical Signs===
===Clinical Signs===