<div>Background: Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is one of the most important metabolic disease of dairy cattle which decrease milk production, dry matter intake, productivity and increase culling rate and even cause death. 
 
Methods: In this study the epidemiological status of SARA namely age, breed, stage of lactation, lactation number, general health condition, body condition score, daily milk production, milk fat content and biochemical alteration were investigated. 
 
Result: Out of 100 cows examined 20 were found to be positive for SARA and the mean age of dairy cows suffering from SARA was found to be 6.53 &plusmn;0.68 years. The prevalence of SARA was 70 and 30 per cent in Jersey and HF breed of cows respectively and was high in mid lactation and the lactation number ranged from 2 to 6. 65 per cent. SARA affected cows were in poor body condition score, milk production and milk fat content was significantly low (P&le; 0.05). The mean GGT (Gamma Glutamyl Transferase) and AST (Asparate aminotransferase) values were significantly increased in SARA affected dairy cows. SARA seems to be a common problem in dairy cattle and it has to be considered when dealing with herd level problems like low milk fat, low milk production, poor body condition and appropriate management measures should be implemented to prevent it.</div>

<div>Effects of Subacute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA) on Epidemiological and Clinicopathological Parameters of Dairy Cattle</div>

Background: The aim of these study to evaluate the changes in acid-base balance in blood during ruminal lactic acidosis in goats. The study was carried out at Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, Large Animal Clinics Out -Patient Medicine Unit, Chennai on twelve non-descript goats. Goats having ruminal lactic acidosis with a history of accidental ingestion of raw rice, roti and wheat were selected for the study. The affected goats were appeared the symptoms of respiratory distress, bloated abdomen, foamy material comes out from mouth and diarrhoea. 
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Methods:&nbsp; Blood samples were collected in heparinized coated syringe for analysis of electrolyte profile and acid -base parameters analysis by using the portable automatic acid-base analyser Epoc Blood-gas Analyser System to evaluate the acid-base status and blood gases in the blood of ruminal lactic acidosis affected goats. Rumen fluid was collected by using oro-ruminal tube. Electrocardiographic examination was performed in standing position without any sedation using a bipolar apex-base lead system. 
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Result: Microscopic examination of rumen fluid revealed no protozoal movement. Highly significant decrease in blood pH, PvO2&nbsp;value, cHCO3- value and BE (ecf) value in goats affected with acidosis when compared with the healthy control group. A highly significant increase in PvCO2&nbsp;value, Anion Gap and blood lactate was observed in acidosis goats when compared to control. A highly significant increase in the haemoglobin levels and RBC level was observed in acidotic goats when compared to healthy goats. There was significant increase of BUN and creatinine value in acidosis goat. Electrolyte examination appears hypocalcemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia and hypokalemia in acidosis goat when compared with healthy control group. ECG observed sinus tachycardia and characterized by increased heart rate, decreased P-R interval, significant changes in the ST and PR segment, increased P and T wave amplitudes and decreased regular R-R intervals.&nbsp;

Acid-base Disturbance and Electrolyte Alteration in Non-descript Goats Affected with Ruminal Lactic Acidosis

Background: Small holding farmers feed surplus cooked rice as the only source of concentrated feed to cattle leading to onset of acidosis. In order to plan preventive measures at appropriate time, determination of time interval required to induce acidosis for respective quantity of cooked rice fed is essential. 
 
Methods: An experiment with graded quantity cooked rice was tested in vitro to determine the respective time interval required to induce acidosis. Since varying quantity of cooked rice are fed to dairy cattle by farmers, a prediction equation was developed to determine the precise duration required to induce acidosis for the respective quantity of cooked rice. Thirty-two cooked rice samples, each incubated with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0g in six replications were taken. 
 
Result: The onset of acidosis (pH &lt;5.8) occurred at 9 hours of incubation with 0.5 and 1.0 g of cooked rice, at 6 hours of incubation with 1.5 2.0 and 2.5 g of cooked rice and at 3 hours of incubation with 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 g of cooked rice, respectively. The results obtained were fitted in regression equation viz. Y = &alpha; + &beta;1x1 + &beta;2x2 + &micro; Where Y = pH; x1 = Quantity of cooked rice; x2 = Incubation period; &alpha; = Intercept; &beta;1, &beta;2 = Slope and &micro; = Error turn. There was a close relationship between regressive calculated pH (X,) and in vitro determined pH Y = 7.79 - (W &times; 0.421) -&nbsp; (t &times; 0.184) r2 = 0:61; p&lt;0.001. Hence, it is possible to predict the fall of pH based on the quantity and duration of incubation for any intervening quantity of cooked rice or period of incubation. Thus, appropriate timely intervention or correction in feeding management on intervening quantity of cooked rice to prevent onset of acidosis is possible wherever farmers feed surplus cooked rice to cattle.

Time Interval and Intervening Quantity of Cooked Rice Prediction to Induce Ruminal Acidosis

Background: Ruminal impaction is a serious gastro-intestinal condition affecting the cattle causing ruminal block by the accumulation of indigestible materials like compacted feed, non-metallic objects, plastic bags, mango kennels, etc. This condition interferes with the rhythmic ruminal flow, leading to abdominal distension and can be fatal if not addressed promptly.&nbsp; 
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Methods: Cows within the age group of 6 months to 8 years were presented at VCC, Rajendranagar, from a period of 2 yrs (2022-2024), with the distinct clinical signs of bloat, sub-normal temperature, cessation of rumination, atony, pale mucus membranes and thick mucus-coated pelleted dung. A total of 32 cows with similar symptoms were subjected to thorough clinical and physical examination, haemato-biochemical and serum biochemistry examinations. Ruminal fluid was evaluated for pH, colour, odour and the methylene blue reduction time (MBRT). 
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Result: The haematological tests revealed normocytic normochromic anaemia, with decreased values of PCV. The pH levels, total leucocyte count and MBRT values recorded were elevated. The serum biochemistry revealed significantly decreased values of albumin, globulin, total proteins and albumin/globulin ratio, hypocalcemia with elevated BUN levels in some animals. The lactate levels dropped below 5mmHg in few cases. The results suggested Ruminal impaction in the presented cows. Rumenotomy was performed under regional anaesthesia with inverted L block with 2% lignocaine hydrochloride on left paralumbar fossa. Among the 32 affected cows, 5 succumbed to its deteriorating health conditions and died, while the others showed slow and gradual recovery, with complete recovery within a week. 
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Diagnostic and Therapeutic Management of&nbsp; Ruminal Impaction in Ruminants

<div>Lactic acidosis is a metabolic disorder caused by feeding errors. It represents a significant economic loss due to direct as well as indirect effects. In present study a total of twenty four goats were focused in order to observe the efficacy of Magnesium hydroxide against induced lactic acidosis. Goats were divided into two groups viz., A and B. Goats in group A were induced lactic acidosis by offering over feeding of grains, while group B was kept as control and normal diet was provided to the goats. After appearance of clinical signs, goat in group A were treated with Magnesium hydroxide at the dose rate of 1g/Kg body weight on the interval of 24, 48 and 72 hours. Results indicated body temperature, ruminal pH, blood pH, respiration rate and heart rate attained normal level after the treatment with Magnesium hydroxide. Serum biochemical examinations of liver function after induction of lactic acidosis revealed that glucose level (190.14&plusmn;36.49mg/dl), total bilirubin (0.75&plusmn;0.04mg/dl), direct bilirubin (0.27&plusmn;0.03mg/dl), indirect bilirubin (0.40&plusmn;0.03mg/dl), alanine aminotransferase (36.42&plusmn;3.04 U/L) and alkaline phosphatase (420&plusmn;3.65 U/L) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased. Magnesium Hydroxide helped in improving the normal physiological parameters but did not improved the rumen and intestinal motility. The hematological examination after the induction of lactic acidosis revealed hemo-concentration and increased Hb% (15.02&plusmn;1.30) which significantly (P&lt;0.05) became normal within 72hrs after Magnesium hydroxide therapy. Present study concludes that the Magnesium hydroxide is very helpful in minimizing the complications of lactic acidosis in goat, thus may be used as therapy of choice.</div>

<div>Magnesium Hydroxide as Curative Strategy against Lactic Acidosis in Goat</div>

This study was conducted to determine if adding the acid-tolerant engineered bacterial strain M. elsdenii H6F32 to the rumen of sheep would reduce the risk of lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis were induced by feed challenges in three groups of six sheep intraruminally dosed with wheat. In each group, sheep were not supplemented(C) or supplemented with the original bacterial strain M.elsdenii H6(H6) or the acid-tolerant engineered bacterial strain M.elsdenii H6F32(H6F32). Compared with C, the concentrations of ruminal lactic acid were decreased and the pH were increased both in H6 and H6H32(P&lt;0.05). Moreover, the engineered strain H6H32 had the much better ability to decrease lactic acid and increase pH. Meanwhile, a greater concentrations of total VFA were in H6F32. The concentrations of ruminal acetate and butyrate in H6F32 were lower than that in C and H6. However, the propionate was much higher in H6F32. Conclusions about protection against lactic acidosis by the acid-tolerant bacterial strain M. elsdenii H6F32 could be reached. It may be that the engineered strain H6F32 could grow well and increases the microbial fermentative activity and increased VFAs production in the rumen at the expense of lactate during the lactic acidosis challenge.&nbsp;

Evaluation of the protective effect of the acid-tolerant engineered bacterial strain M. elsdenii H6F32 as a probiotic fed to sheep during&nbsp;the lactic acidosis challenge

<div style="text-align: justify;">Paddy straw is a major agro-residue fed to ruminants in India. Feeding only rice straw does not provide enough nutrients to the ruminants even for maintenance due to the low nutritive value of this highly lignified material containing high concentration of anti-nutrition factors like lignin, silicates and oxalates. Despite the improvements of crop residues through various processing methods such as physical and chemical, the efficient utilization to desirable extent is still awaited. So utilization of paddy straw in association with concept of complete feed along with biological agents is need of the hour to maximize advantage from given feeds in animal production systems.</div>

Improved paddy straw as ruminant feed: A review

<div>Ruminal dysfunction affects the productive response of cattle, this activity can be monitored with the use of intra-ruminal electronic devices. In this sense, an intra-ruminal real-time monitoring system for body temperature and pH sensing to have precise information on ruminal activity in grazing cows was developed. Hence, suitable sensor technology was identified for measuring variables, together with a wireless communication system based on Radio Frequency protocol. Components were incorporated into a commercial digital platform, which stores data and has a visual interface. Performance of the prototype was validated in two stages. (i) In a simulated rumen environment with controlled pH and temperature variations and (ii) An in vivo clinical trial with a cannulated cow to assess the response of the device. System autonomy operated ~24 hours. It sensed and transmitted information in real-time to a remote base 70 meters away. The prototype provides in vivo data similar to its in vitro data (R &gt; 0.90; p &lt; 0.05).&nbsp;</div>

<div>Design of an intra-ruminal wireless communication sensing system for measuring temperature and pH of cattle</div>

<div>Background: Rice feeding followed in Tamil Nadu for dairy cattle induces acidosis and the effect of acidosis studies through in vitro techniques is desirable to reduce the animal experiment. Since Mc Dougall Buffer neutralizes acidity produced on incubation with rice (Oriza sativa) in semi continuous culture, it is difficult to mimic acidosis in RUSITEC. Hence a study was conducted in RUSITEC with cooked rice incubated for 24 hours to evaluate the effect of diluting Mc Dougall buffer to establish rumen acidosis (pH &lt; 5.8).&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Two treatments were followed with undiluted Mc Dougall Buffer (MDB) and diluting Mc Dougall Buffer (MMDB) as per Mickdam et al. (2016) in RUSITEC experiments with six replicates for each treatment. This experiment was conducted with equivalent weight of test material (Cooked rice on DMB). The pH of artificial buffer was maintained at 7.4 during start of incubation for both buffers. 
 
Result: The rumen fermentation pattern for establishment of onset of acidosis due to over feeding of cooked rice was evinced by the onset of acidosis (&lt;5.8 pH) recorded at 3 hours of incubation in MMDB infusion and at 18 hours of incubation in MDB infusion. The concentration of NH3-N declined after acidosis induction; however, it reached its minimum in MMDB at significant difference (p&lt;0.05) than MDB at all incubation hours. Total gas production (Methane and Carbon dioxide) was reduced with MMDB incubation. The CH4 proportion declined strongly (p&lt;0.01) at all incubation hours in MMDB than MDB. The production of volatile fatty acid was reduced significantly (p&lt;0.05) in MMDB at all incubation period compared with MDB. This was based on a significant decrease in the acetate production (p&lt;0.05), an increase in the propionate and butyrate production (p&lt;0.05). Acidosis challenge resulted in significantly (p&lt;0.01) elevated lactate levels in MMDB at all incubation hours which remained high at 24 hours of incubation. Compared to MDB condition, the LPS concentration was largely elevated (p&lt;0.01), by 36% on average till 12 hours of incubation, due to severe acidosis condition (pH 4.9) created by MMDB. The early occurrence of acidosis condition in MMDB, increased significantly (p&lt;0.01) gram positive organisms in the rumen. The MMDB infusion showed a strong effect on degradation of DM, OM and N and it was decreased, similarly the degradation rate of DM and N was lowest. This study proves that the MMDB is the suitable acidosis inducing buffer for establishing the in vitro models to cooked rice.</div>

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Evaluation of Suitability of Buffer to Induce Acidosis on Rice (Oriza sativa) based Diet in RUSITEC

<div>Background: Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) remains a serious threat to the Indian livestock sector due to significant economic loss associated with it. Systematic vaccination of large ruminants over the years has lead to a gradual reduction in the number of disease outbreaks in India. However exposure to FMDV infection in small ruminants has been recorded during the past few years (Rout et al., 2013). Sheep and goat population have not been vaccinated so far against FMD under the FMD-Control program (FMD-CP). The present study highlighted the outbreak of FMD in small ruminants in Karnataka, India. 
 
Methods: During the period 2018-19, seven suspected FMD outbreaks &nbsp;among sheep population in Bellary and Tumakuru districts of Karnataka state were investigated. Tongue epithelium (oral swabs) and foot lesions (n=23) from clinically affected sheep and tissues such as heart, lung, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and kidneys from lambs during post mortem (n=67) were collected. All the samples were processed in the laboratory for the detection of FMD virus antigen by employing Serotype differentiating antigen detection ELISA and by multiplex PCR. Heart tissue samples were also collected in buffered formalin for histopathology study and processed by routine paraffin embedding technique and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H and E). Serum samples from the recovered animals were collected and screened by NSP-ELISA and LPB-ELISA to check the antibody status in the affected herd.&nbsp; 
 
Result: A total of seven suspected outbreaks of FMD involving 688 small ruminants was investigated. The outbreak of FMD due to FMDV serotype O was confirmed by ELISA and multiplex PCR assays. Clinically, the affected adult sheep showed typical signs of FMD, while mortality in young lambs was observed without apparent signs of disease. Histologically, heart tissues from FMD affected lambs showed myocardial necrosis with marked aggregations of lymphocytes and neutrophils in the myocardium and perivascular spaces. History of FMD outbreaks in cattle and common grazing land for the livestock, as well as sheep within the reach of these villages, may be the major contributing factors for the outbreaks in sheep populations.</div>

Effects of Subacute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA) on Epidemiological and Clinicopathological Parameters of Dairy Cattle

Acid-base Disturbance and Electrolyte Alteration in Non-descript Goats Affected with Ruminal Lactic Acidosis

Time Interval and Intervening Quantity of Cooked Rice Prediction to Induce Ruminal Acidosis

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Management of Ruminal Impaction in Ruminants

Magnesium Hydroxide as Curative Strategy against Lactic Acidosis in Goat

Evaluation of the protective effect of the acid-tolerant engineered bacterial strain M. elsdenii H6F32 as a probiotic fed to sheep during the lactic acidosis challenge

Improved paddy straw as ruminant feed: A review

Design of an intra-ruminal wireless communication sensing system for measuring temperature and pH of cattle

Evaluation of Suitability of Buffer to Induce Acidosis on Rice (Oriza sativa) based Diet in RUSITEC

Investigations into Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak among Small Ruminants in Karnataka State of India