Prevalence and consequences of subacute ruminal acidosis in German dairy herds

Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence and the clinical consequences of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in dairy cows are still poorly understood. In order to evaluate the prevalence of SARA, 26 German dairy farms were included in a field study. In each herd, between 11 and 14 lactating dairy cows were examined for their ruminal pH using rumenocentesis. Milk production data and farm management characteristics were recorded. Each farm was scored for lameness prevalence among lactating animals, and body condition score was recorded three times four to five weeks apart in all animals examined. Farms were grouped on basis of ruminal pH and compared for lameness, body condition, milk production parameters and style of management. Animals were grouped on basis of their measured ruminal pH and compared accordingly for milk production parameters and body condition score.ResultsOf 315 cows examined, 63 individuals (20%) exhibited a ruminal pH of ≤ 5.5 at time of rumenocentesis. Of 26 farms examined, eleven farms had three or more of their cows experiencing a ruminal pH of ≤ 5.5 and were classified as likely experiencing subacute ruminal acidosis. These farms tended to be bigger than the others and offered less lying space to the lactating cows. There was no clear tendency regarding lameness. Among individual cows, animals with a low ruminal pH of ≤ 5.5 were found to be in significantly poorer body condition than animals with higher pH values (p < 0,05).ConclusionsThe study shows 11 out of 26 of herds likely experiencing SARA. Bigger herds tend to be at a higher risk for SARA, while individuals with low ruminal pH tend to be lower in body condition. The study points to the importance of management in preventing SARA.

Relationship between pH of ruminal fluid during subacute ruminal acidosis and physiological response of the Polish Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

“…SARA-positive cows were found at the rates of 20% (63 of 315) and 27.6% (24 of 87) in Germany and in Albania, respectively (Kleen et al 2013, Shabani andCeroni 2013). Moreover, in Ireland 25% (3/12), in Greece 33% (4/12) and in Germany 42% (11/26) of herds were found to be SARA-positive (Morgante et al 2007, Kitkas et al 2013, Kleen et al 2013). In our study, statistically significant higher concentrations of IGF-I at both levels -cows and herds was noted.…”

Correlación entre el pH ruminal y el índice de condición corporal en vacas con acidosis ruminal subaguda

“…Dada la literatura anterior que conecta SARA a problemas de salud, es decir, enfermedades metabólicas de ganado lechero (9), la evidencia probada es relativamente débil. La SARA se ha asociado previamente para causar inflamación sistémica (7) y participar en la pérdida de BCS de la cowsprone afectada para estar en mal estado después del parto (10,11). Por otra parte, en lo que respecta a la SARA, la detección de la ruta fisiopatológica sigue siendo difícil porque a) la base de datos de las condiciones de campo sigue siendo insuficiente, b) se sabe menos sobre las consecuencias reales, la incidencia y la distribución regional de SARA en el campo.…”

“…Además, los modelos experimentales para la concepción de la SARA en los animales experimentales difieren considerablemente de las enfermedades detectadas en los rebaños lecheros naturales. Por lo tanto, se justifica la investigación sobre el campo, es necesario para comprender mejor SARA (11). En el presente estudio se pretendían: a) confirmar la presencia de SARA en los rebaños lecheros turcos en la región de Aydin, b) registrar su distribución regional y c) determinar si existe una relación entre el puntaje de la condición, las contracciones ruminales y el pH ruminal.…”

“…Furthermore experimental modelling for conceiving SARA in trial animals differ considerably from conditions detected in natural dairy herds. Therefore warranted research regarding the field, is necessary to better understand SARA (11). In the present study the purposes were to a) confirm the presence of SARA in Turkish dairy herds in Aydin region, b) record its regional distribution and c) determine whether there is a relationship between among condition scoring, ruminal contractions and ruminal pH.…”

“…SARA has previously been linked to cause systemic inflammation (7) and to participate in BCS loss of affected cows prone to be in poorer condition post calving (10,11). On the other hand regarding SARA detection of pathophysiological route remains difficult because of a) database from field conditions remains insufficient, b)less is known about real consequences, incidence and regional distribution of SARA on the field (11). Furthermore experimental modelling for conceiving SARA in trial animals differ considerably from conditions detected in natural dairy herds.…”