Clinical and laboratory studies on experimentally induced acute ruminal lactic acidosis in male goats

ABSTRACT

Acute ruminal acidosis was experimentally induced in six mixed breed of male goats, [15-18 months old and 27-38 kg body weight], by wheat flour, 50 g/kg BW, infused intraruminally through a surgically prepared ruminal cannula. Ruminal fluid and blood samples were obtained at 0, 12, 24 and 36 hours to evaluate ruminal fluid contents, serum biochemical changes and complete blood picture. Severe clinical signs of ruminal acidosis were evident by12 hours represented by depression, recumbency, diarrhea, grinding over the teeth, trembling, ruminal stasis, dehydration, polypnea and tachycardia. Sharp drop in ruminal fluid pH with parallel sharp increase in ruminal lactate and glucose levels were recorded. Ruminal protozoa completely disappeared following induction. Significant decrease in venous blood pH and a significant increase of serum levels of lactate, total protein, albumin, Gamma glutamyl transferase [GGT], urea and creatinine were obtained. Significant increase in hematocrit value, total leukocytic count, neutrophil and a significant decrease in lymphocyte were also recorded. Post mortum and histopathological examination were performed to confirm the disease