Ecg and biochemical changes in induced rumen acidosis in goats

Abstract

An experiment was carried out with twelve adult goats of either sex to study the clinical manifestations of ruminal acidosis, changes in the rumen liquor, haematology, serum biochemistry, changes in the urine, electrocardiogram variations and postmortem lesions. The goats were maintained under identical management and feeding cond'itions at University Goat Farm, Mannuthy and were selected at random. One group of six animals served as healthy controls and the other group was subjected to rumen fistulation by standard surgical procedures. Acidosis was induced by intraruminal administration of crushed rice at the rate of 80 g/kg. Clinical signs were recorded, samples of rumen liquor, blood and urine were collected and electrocardiogram was recorded at 0, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of experiment. Clinical signs noticed were anorexia, increased pulse and respiratory rate, depression, cessation of ruminal contractions, oliguria, diarrhoea, sunken eyes, thick nasal discharge and grinding of teeth. Rumen liquor was creamy coloured, watery with sour odour and the pH was 4.16 ± 0.05 and without any protozoa. There

was no sedimentation activity and MBRT was prolonged. initially increased and then reduced.

TVFA

There was nonsignificant

increase in haemoglobin,

haemotocrit and cell:fluid ratio with significant increase

in ESR,

leukocytosis with significant neutrophilia and

lymphopenia were also present. A significant increase in the serum glucose, phosphorus,

magnesiu~,

sodium,

potassium

lactate,

pyruvate

and

lactate:pyruvate

ratio

were

observed after

induction.

Significant r educ t i.on in calcium level also noted. Urine pH reduced and there was protein, RBC cast, leukocytes, renal epithelial cells and tripple phosphate crystals in the urine. ECG showed increase in heart rate, reduction in 'P' amplitude, P duration, QT interval and PR interval. 'T' amplitude increased nonsignificantly with a significant increase in 'T' duration. Sinus tachycardia, ST elevation and ST depression were also observed. Post mortem lesions included sloughing of rumen mucosa, abomasal ulcers, severe enteritis, focal necrosis of liver, cholestasis, congestion of lungs and kidney, dilatation of heart and oedema of brain.