RUMEN LACTIC-ACIDOSIS .2. CLINICAL SIGNS, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION

Peracute carbohydrate engorgement may result in profound depression, dehydration, acidosis, recumbency, coma, and death within 8 to 10 hours. Clinical signs of acute, subacute, and chronic rumen lactic acidosis vary depending on the amount and type of feed ingested, amount of time elapsed since consumption of feed, nutritional status, and degree of carbohydrate rumen adaptation. Central nervous system signs may persist in severely affected animals. Diagnosis is usually based on history and clinical signs following evaluation of ruminal fluid, Without an adequate history, however, rumen lactic acidosis may simulate other metabolic or neurologic diseases. Therapeutic plans for acute acidosis include removal of the carbohydrate source, fluid and acid-base corrections, and antibiotics. Prevention primarily involves altering management practices; however, antibiotic feed additives show preventive potential.