Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Subacute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA) of Milch Cattle

Bipin; K. C; Ramesh; P. T; Narayana Swamy; M.

Volume : V, Issue : V, May - 2016

Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Subacute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA) of Milch Cattle

Bipin, K. C, Ramesh, P. T, Narayana Swamy, M.

Abstract :

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is one of the serious digestive disorders resulting from defective feeding management and causing heavy losses to the dairy farmers. Major reasons attributed for production losses are altered rumen fermentation with derangement of rumen fatty acid profile, dry matter intake depression, inflammatory reactions and allied health problems. Management of SARA in high yielding cows considered to be difficult, as to meet the increased energy requirements needs high carbohydrate diets. Rumen buffering with sodium bicarbonate is one cheaper and effective alternative option. Present study examined the efficacy of supplementation of sodium bicarbonate in SARA positive cattle at the rate of 100 grams daily orally on various haematological and production parameters as well rumen volatile fatty acid profile and serum acute phase proteins viz. serum Haptoglobin (Hp) and serum Amyloid A (SAA). Sodium bicarbonate supplementation to SARA affected animals showed considerable improvement in all parameters, when compared same with untreated controls. Significant improvements in rumen liquor pH, SAT, total protozoal count and significant reduction in SAA and Hp concentrations were observed in 72 hours of supplementation (p≤0.05).