Changes

===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===

Clinically, SARA is characterised by:

 

* Variable faccal coinsistenicy, with many cows within a

The nature of the faeces can give clues to the existance of SARA within a herd. Suboptimal rumen function means that some feed passes to the colon before digestion. Therefore, many animals in a group of cows with subacute rumenal acidosis will have a looser faecal consistency, due to osmotic diarrhoea caused by colonic fermentation of feed. In turn, the udder, tail and rump will have large amounts of faecal staining/ In some animals, the colonic pH falls to such a degree that the microflora are killed and no hind-gut fermentation occurs. This leads to firmer, sticky faeces that contain undigested sugars. There may be other abnormalities to faecal appearance, for example cows may excrete undigested grain. Fibrin casts, indicative of colonic mucosal damage induced by an excess of acid, may also be seen.

gTroup having loose faeces. This occurs following the

 

development of osmIlotic diarrhoea due to colonic fermentation

Cow's swishing their tails in the absence of flies. This is

of foodstuff's. However, if colonic pH falls

excessively. the colonic flora is killed off and hind gut

fermentation ceases, reSsulting in the production of

coarse, firmer faeces which are rathei- sticky to the touch

(probably due to the preseince of undigested, short chain

* Fibrin casts in the faeces. This is indicative of severe

acid-induced damage to the colonic mucosa fArgenLio

* Excessive faecal soiling, especially of the tail, udder

and rump;Cow's swishing their tails in the absence of flies. This is

likely to be associated with irritation caLused by the production

likely to be associated with irritation caLused by the production

ot' acidic urine and faeces. Tail swishing leads to

ot' acidic urine and faeces. Tail swishing leads to