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
