Acidosis can be managed

The saying goes that too much of a good thing is not good at all. In the case of acidosis, this is indeed true. Acidosis is a common occurrence in animals exposed to an abundance of palatable feed and that had ingested too many highly digestible carbohydrates (or sugar).

- Koos du Pisanie

According to Dr. Schabort Froneman of Zoetis, the most common cause of acidosis is the sudden excessive intake of grain, meal or crushed maize, silage (especially if poorly fermented), by-products of brewer’s grain, potatoes, apples, or peaches (high sugar content), bread or molasses.

He explains that the micro-organisms in the rumen of animals grazing on grasslands are not adapted to digest energy-rich carbohydrates. This excess of digestible carbohydrates sets the scene for the wrong type of micro-organisms to proliferate.

Consequences and complications

Acidosis has several unpleasant consequences. Lactic acid burns the rumen wall and causes inflammation of the rumen. The lactic acid is consequently absorbed into the bloodstream, in turn leading to metabolic acidosis.

Water from the body also collects in the rumen and can lead to dehydration. Often, rumen motility will stop completely and, along with an increased rate of fermentation in the rumen, will lead to bloat. Adding to the negative effects is the production of an enzyme that breaks down thiamine, leading to a vitamin B1 deficiency and nervous system symptoms.

If the animal is not treated at once, bacterial or fungal infection of the rumen, liver, and even lung abscesses can occur. Finally, upon death, certain bacteria release a toxin that causes shock, organ damage, and laminitis.