Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

RUMINAL LACTACIDOSIS

Etiology

• The sudden ingestion of toxic doses of carbohydrate rich feed such as grain
• Ruminating cattle, sheep susceptible; most common in feedlot cattle
• Animals fed low energy rations
• A gradual change during a period of 3-5 weeks from forage ration to high energy lactation rations
• Feeding excessive quantities of concentrate and Insufficient forages result in fiber deficient ration
• Feeding of excessive amounts of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates.
• Due to breakdown in feed mill/ handling facilities
• Accidental ingestion.
• Morbidity 10-50 %.
• Case fatality may be up to 90% in untreated cases and 30-40% in treated cases.
• Wheat barleycorn grains, Finely Ground Grain are more toxic. Oats and sorghum grain are least toxic