Clinico-therapeutic study of ruminal lactic acidosis in goats

Abstract

Twelve goats with history and symptoms suggestive of ruminal acidosis were divided into two groups (I and 11). Six healthy goats were also served as controls. Detailed clinical examination, recording of clinical data, sampling and analysis of rumen liquor and blood were done at zero hour, one hour, 12 h, 24 h, 48 hand 72 h of the study. Therapeutic management of group I was done by giving five per cent sodium bicarbonate solution intravenously at a dose rate of 5 ml / kg ; whereas in group 11 it was replaced with a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (carbicarb) intravenously at a dose rate of 4 ml / kg. Animals of group I and 11 were given dexamethasone 20 mg intravenously, evacuated rumen contents and given ..

magnesium

hydroxide

and

oxytetracycline

orally.

Supportive treatments were done with fluids, vitamin B complex inj ection daily and transfer of fresh rumen liquor on second or third day in both groups. The clinical signs noticed were anorexia, dullness, low carriage of head, dry muzzle, sunken eyes, tending of skin, oliguria, distended abdomen, cold extremities and retracted eye balls. There was improvement in the

pulse quality and also considerable reduction in respiratory rate noticed in animals of group 11 than in group I at 24 h of .treatment. In both groups, the rumen liquor colour, odour, consistency and protozoal motility became normal, SAT and MBRT showed improvement and elevated rumen liquor lactic acid became normal by 72 h. Elevated haemoglobin, PCV, TEC, TLC and neutrophilia also became normal. Improvement in serum bicarbonate level was marked in group 11 than in group I at 24 hand 48 h of treatment. Serum lactic acid showed significant increase at zero hour in group I and 11, but came to normal in group 11 at 72 h, but not in group I. Elevated serum protein level at zero

hour

also

came

to

normal.

Clinical

assessment

throughout the study revealed that all animals of group 11 appeared more alert and active and recovered earlier than in group I.