Rumen Acidosis & SARA

How much water can be held in the rumen? How much saliva does a cow produce in a day?

180L 100L

What is ruminal acidosis?

A metabolic disorder Affects body fluids overpassing the body buffers for a determined amount of time

What are the 2 ruminal acidosis syndromes?

Acute ruminal acidosis Subacture ruminal acidosis (SARA)

What is another name for acute rumen acidosis?

Grain overload

What is the pathogenesis of ruminal acidosis?

Rapidly fermented starches to glucose Free glucose in the body

What are the 3 main effects of free glucose?

Ruminal bacteria (s. bovis) can thrive E. coli can prosper and release endotoxin when they die Increases osmolality which exacerbate accumulation of acids in rumen by inhibiting VFA absorption

How do ruminal acidotic disorders occur?

VFAs produced in the wrong proportions so pH drops Bacteria population changes Leaves strep. bovis VICIOUS CYCLE

Describe the physiology of the rumen?

Warm (37.5-42C) Moist (largely water) Anaerobic pH > 6.2 Active (1-3 contractions/min) Microbes (bacter/protozoa/fungi)

How does the rumen get its energy?

We feed the proteins to the microbes to keep the rumen functioning

When does VFA production increase?

When fed