What is acidosis and how do we prevent it?

This question comes from Judith Basin County. This information was written by Rick Stock from the University of Nebraska.

Acidosis is the most important nutritional disorder in feedlots today. Caused by a rapid production and absorption of acids from the rumen when cattle consume too much starch (primarily grain) or sugar in a short period of time, acidosis causes cattle to be stressed. As long as cattle are finished on grain, cows are grazed on cornstalk fields (grain consumption) or high energy (grain) diets are fed to dairy cows, acidosis will be an important problem. Cattle evolved digesting roughages that ferment slowly in the rumen. The rumen microbes of a forage- fed animal are selected for fiber digestion. Adjusting cattle to high grain diets from predominantly forage diets disrupts the normal microbial environment and precipitates acidosis. Acidosis is not one disorder, it is a continuum of degrees. Effects of acidosis can be as slight as a .25 lb/day feed intake reduction, or as severe as the death of an animal. Several acidosis-related problems occurring in the feedlot are:

1. sudden death syndrome;
2. polioencephalomalacia - "brainers" (polio);
3. founder;
4. rumenitis;
5. liver abscesses;
6. malabsorption;
7. clostridial infestations;
8. off- feed or reduced feed intakes.

Solutions

Cattle experiencing acute acidosis should be treated immediately. One possible treatment
suggested by Oklahoma State in the April 1989 issue of University Capsules is as
follows:

• 500 grams sodium bicarbonate (baking soda),
• 850 cc 12 percent formaldehyde,
• 20 grams magnesium oxide,
• 40 grams charcoal.

Place the above in a plastic container and add enough water to bring the level to two
liters. Then

1. mix well;
2. administer 100 ml/100 lb body weight in 1 gallon of water via tube;
3. supplement with 20 ml dipyrone.

Shelf life of this mixture is 30 days. The formaldehyde kills the rapidly dividing bacteria. Work with a local veterinarian for additional treatments. If an animal has symptoms of brain disorder, an accurate diagnosis should be made. If the diagnosis is
polioencephalomalacia (polio), an injection of thiamine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg intravenous and repeat for two to three days in the muscle) should be administered. Recovery should be seen in one to three days. If TEME (hemophilus somnus) is diagnosed, oxytetracycline should be given (5 mg/kg intravenous and 5 mg/kg in the muscle). The animal should be treated in the muscle for three days following initial treatment.

Most cattle will recover on their own from subacute acidosis without any medical treatment. Several management tips should be followed:

1. Feed complete- mixed diets. Don't feed grain and hay separately, if possible.
2. Minimize sorting of ration ingredients by the use of a limited amount of silage, molasses or liquid supplement or fat.
3. Feed slowly fermenting grains (dry rolled corn, dry whole corn, dry rolled grain sorghum) with rapidly fermented grains (barley, wheat, steam- flaked corn, high moisture corn). Limit wheat to a maximum of 40 percent of the diet if not
   accustomed to feeding wheat.
4. Gradually adapt cattle to high- grain finishing diets in 21 to 28 days using three or four step- up diets. Suggested step-up diets may contain 45, 35, 25 and 15 percent roughage.
5. Feed at least 5 to 10 percent roughage (dry matter basis). Roughage is similar to insurance. The more roughage fed, the less likely acidosis will be a problem. When acidosis is not a problem, feed efficiency and cost/gain increase as
   roughage level increases.
6. Make sure feed intake is not increasing or decreasing before switching cattle to the next ration.
7. Feed bunks should contain a sprinkle of feed (approximately 1 lb/head) or be slicked clean, but still wet with saliva. Never allow the cattle to be without feed for more than 30 minutes.
8. Feed cattle, as close as possible, at the same time each day.
9. Feed two or more times a day if possible.
10. Use an ionophore (Rumensin or Bovatec) to increase feed efficiency and reduce variation in feed consumption.
11. Balance feedlot rations for .5 to .7 percent calcium and consider using sodium bicarbonate in dairy diets containing greater than 50 percent concentrate.
12. Keep daily records of dry matter feed intake.
13. Keep all waterers clean and fresh.

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 08/29/2006