CLINICO-THERAPEUTIC STUDY OF SUB-ACUTE RUMINAL ACIDOSIS IN GOATS
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Date
2018
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR
Abstract
The present topic, “Clinico-therapeutic study of sub-acute ruminal acidosis
in goats” was the first detailed study conducted on this disease in India. Study
was conducted in various goat farms in Thrissur district of Kerala, India from
December 2015 to January 2017. Twenty four SARA affected goats were selected
and divided into two groups, group I and group II. Six apparently healthy goats
from SARA negative herd was selected as SARA negative group III animals.
Prevalence rate of the disease was 7.97 per cent and was highest in the age
group of 3 to 5 years. Crossbred goats were mainly affected. Major associated
health problems recorded in SARA affected goats were diarrhoea, laminitis,
polioencephalomalacia, reproductive problems and hypocalcaemia. Cyclic feeding
behavior and low body condition score were consistent findings in SARA affected
goats.
Volatile fatty acid profile revealed an increase in TVFA, propionate and
butyrate level with reduced acetate level. Rumen protozoal count was also
reduced. Rumen liquor showed a predominance of Gram positive bacteria during
SARA episodes. However, rumen lactate concentration did not show any
significant variation. Important changes on blood gas analysis were reduction in
blood pH, pCO2 and bicarbonate levels. Blood total lactate showed an increase
along with L-lactate. Serum protein profile and blood electrolytes did not shown
any significance. Increased serum haptoglobin (Hp) suggested inflammatory
response and stress. SARA caused major depreciation in milk quality parameters.
Majority of associated health problems subsided in both SARA affected
groups after the treatment. Treatment with Lithothamnium calcareum and yeast
culture alone imparted improvement in reproductive status while that with
magnesium oxide did not. Both these treatment regimes produced homogeneous
response in improving all clinical parameters except in the quality of milk.
Combination of Lithothamnium calcareum and yeast culture was more acceptable
than magnesium oxide since it produced unique improvement in clinical,
production and reproductive parameters.