25 Questions
What is the diagnosis method for subacute ruminal acidosis at the herd level?
Measuring ruminal pH in a group of high-risk cows
Which group of animals is at risk of developing subacute ruminal acidosis?
Dairy cows, feedlot cattle, and feedlot sheep
What causes subacute ruminal acidosis in ruminants?
Ingestion of feed high in rapidly fermentable carbohydrates or deficient in physically active fiber
What is one consequence of feeding ruminants excessive amounts of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates in conjunction with inadequate fiber?
Subacute ruminal acidosis
What is the impact of low ruminal pH on bacterial species in the rumen?
It decreases the number of bacterial species
How does low ruminal pH affect protozoal populations?
It limits protozoal populations
Why are animals more susceptible to future episodes of ruminal acidosis after experiencing subacute ruminal acidosis?
Due to a decrease in the number of bacterial and protozoal species
What pathophysiologic consequences are associated with low ruminal pH?
Rumenitis and erosion of the ruminal epithelium
What problem may occur if the ruminal epithelium is inflamed?
Liver abscesses
How is subacute ruminal acidosis diagnosed?
By measuring ruminal fluid pH in a group of apparently healthy animals
When is ruminal fluid usually collected for pH measurement?
~6–10 hours after the first daily feeding of a total mixed ration
What are the main clinical signs attributed to subacute ruminal acidosis?
Unexplained diarrhea and decreased feed intake
What is an alternative explanation for the development of claw horn lesions?
Subacute laminitis caused by low ruminal pH has not been experimentally characterized or reproduced
How is the ability of the rumen to rapidly absorb organic acids important for maintaining stable ruminal pH?
It contributes to the stability of ruminal pH
What happens to ruminal papillae when cattle are fed higher-grain diets?
They increase in length
What is one mechanism by which affected animals resolve ruminal acidosis and return ruminal pH to normal?
Consume longer forage particles
What could cause pain and contribute to reduced feed intake during subacute ruminal acidosis?
Inflammation of the ruminal epithelium (rumenitis)
What happens to absorption of volatile fatty acids as ruminal pH drops?
Increases
Why is ruminal lactate production undesirable during subacute ruminal acidosis?
Lactate has a lower pKa than VFAs
What is the key to the prevention of subacute ruminal acidosis?
Limiting intake of readily fermentable carbohydrates
What is the most common cause of errors in delivery of rations that may lead to subacute ruminal acidosis?
Lack of adjustment for variation in moisture content of different forages
What is used to quantify the buffering capacity of a diet?
Dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD)
What is a preventive measure for subacute ruminal acidosis?
Feeding well-formulated diets
Why is milk fat depression deemed a poor and insensitive indicator of subacute ruminal acidosis?
Because it does not always reflect subacute ruminal acidosis
What encourages saliva production during chewing and increases rumination after feeding to decrease the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis?
Long-fiber particles in the diet
Test your knowledge about the effects of low ruminal pH on the bacterial and protozoal populations in the rumen, and its impact on the stability of ruminal microflora.
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