Acidosis in Ruminants

Abstract

Noninfectious diseases of ruminants are more common than infectious diseases. The digestive system is more vulnerable to disorder than any other system. Disorders ranging from stomatitis, choke, bloat, indigestion, intoxications, and displacements are observed in ruminants almost daily. It is doubtful that any animal ever reaches maturity without suffering at some time or another from some kind of digestive dysfunction. Changes in feed are among the most common causes of digestive dysfunction in ruminants.

A sudden change of feed components as occurs in feedlot animals, over-feeding during production competition, or preparing animals for competition showing are examples of causes of feeding troubles resulting in acidosis.