Retrospective study of ruminal lactic acidosis in goats and sheep assisted at the Clinica de Bovinos, Campus Garanhuns/UFRPE

Abstract

The objective of present study was to describe clinical and laboratorial findings of lactic acidosis in small ruminant, assisted at the Clinica de Bovinos, Campus Garanhuns/UFRPE between 2000 and 2006. Thirty eight cases were diagnosed, thirty four being in sheep and four in goats. Most of the animals were maintained in intensive handling and had sudden access to carbohydrate of easy digestion. The most frequent clinical findings were apathy (47.0%), dehydration (45.0%), tachycardia (79.0%), tachypnea (68.0%), anorexia (53.0%), distended abdomen with large amounts of liquid into rumen (78.0%), tympany (66.0%), decrease of ruminal peristaltism (48.0%) and diarrhea (16.0%). Characteristics of acidosis were evident in ruminal fluid by the greyish-brown colour (76.0%), sour odor (57.0%), pH less than five (38.0%), PRAM > 10 min (67.0%) and compromising of fauna and flora (57.0%). Such alterations show the importance of knowledge of lactic acidosis for a better diagnosis, control and mainly prevention of ruminal acidosis.