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Metabolic diseases of Cattle and Buffalo
Acidosis
| Nature of disease |
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- This is a metabolic disorder of dairy animals.
- This manifest digestive disturbance.
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Causes |
- The sudden ingestion of toxic doses of carbohydrate rich feed such as grain.
- Animals fed low energy rations.
- A gradual change during a period of 3-5 weeks from forage ration to high energy lactation rations
- Feeding of excessive amounts of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates
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| Mode of Transmission |
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- The infection spreads through ticks.
- Besides tick, Tabanas spp., Stomoxys spp. And mosquitoes have been found to transmit the disease.
- Carrier animals like cattle and other wild ruminants play vital roles in the transmission of the disease.
- Mechanical transmission through dehorning, castration, vaccination, ear marking has been suggested.
- Transplacental transmission has been observed.
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Clinical symptoms |
- Distended rumen, abdominal discomfort, kicking at belly.
- Diarrhoea is profuse with kernels of grain.
- Depression, dehydration, inactivity, weakness.
- Staggering drunken gait and impaired eyesight.
- Acute laminitis with animal lame in all four feet.
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| Suggested first aid |
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- Oral ingestion of Sodium bicarbonate solution.
- Not providing water for 12- 24 hours orally.
- Supply of good quality of palatable hay ½ the quantity of daily ration.
- Exercise to promote movement of ingesta through digestive tract.
- After 18- 24 hours those cattle which continue to ear hay may be allowed to free access of water.
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Prevention and Control Method |
- Carbohydrate rich feeds should be not be fed excessively.
- Scientific feeding schedule should be followed.
- Sudden change in feeding schedule should be avoided
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