Prevalence, diagnosis and therapeutic management of ruminal acidosis in goats

Abstract

In peri-urban and rural areas, the majority of health problems are rumen related in goats. The ruminal acidosis is a life threatening problem in goats due to large quantity of carbohydrate rich grain feeding which is related to ruminal problem. In the present investigation, 112 clinical cases of ruminal acidosis of goats recorded at Veterinary Clinical Complex, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education & Research, Jaipur (Raj.) during April, 2022 to July, 2023. Prevalence of ruminal acidosis in goat was recorded 17.17 percent (112) out of total goats cases (652 cases) presented. In Goats, higher occurrence of acidosis was observed in lower than 2 years of age (83.03 percent), followed by goats between 2 year to 5 year (12.05 percent) and lower occurrence of acidosis was observed greater than 5 years (4.46 percent). It was of higher occurrence in males 58.92 percent than females 41.07 percent. It was found that highest incidence of ruminal acidosis was recorded in the Monsoon season (45.53 percent) followed by Summer season (34.82 percent) and lower incidence in Winter season (17.85 percent) in goats. Higher incidence of ruminal acidosis was observed in non-descript native goats. Clinical signs were subnormal temperature, tachycardia, polypnea, anorexia or inappetence, decreased pH of rumen liquor, pasty to watery faeces and enlarged abdomen with fluid splashing sound in rumen in affected goats. The cases were diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical findings, laboratory investigation and ruminal liquor pH examination. Treatment with combination therapy of fluid therapy (Ringer lactate @ 20-25 ml/Kg body weight and Normal saline @ 20 ml/Kg body weight, intravenously); Oxyteteracycline @ 5-10 mg/Kg body weight, intravenously; Meloxicam @ 0.2 mg/Kg body weight, intramuscularly; Thiamine+ Pyridoxine + Cynocobalamine @ 2-5 ml in small animal, intramuscularly or intravenously; Phenramine maleate @ 0.5 mg/Kg body weight, intravenously; Sodium bicarbonate @ 1gm/Kg body weight, intravenously; Buffkind @ 25gm, orally and Feedex forte bolus @ 1 bolus, orally were found effective against ruminal acidosis.112 cases of ruminal acidosis were recovered uneventfully within 3rd days in goats and 2 cases of ruminal acidosis died during treatment.