BOVINE ACIDOSIS - IMPLICATIONS ON LAMINITIS

Bovine lactic acidosis syndrome is associated with large increases of lactic acid in the rumen, which result from diets that are high in rum inally available carbohydrates, or forage that is low in effective fib er, or both. The syndrome involves two separate anatomical areas, the gastrointestinal tract and body fluids, and is related to the rate and extent of lactic acid production, utilization, and absorption. Clinic al manifestations range from loss of appetite to death. Lactic acid ac cumulates in the rumen when the bacteria that synthesize lactic acid o utnumber those that utilize lactic acid. The systemic impact of acidos is may have several physiological implications, including laminitis, a diffuse aseptic inflammation of the laminae (cerium). Although a nutr itional basis for the disease exists, etiology includes a multitude of interactive factors, such as metabolic and digestive disorders, postp artum stress, and localized trauma, which lead to the release of vasoa ctive substances that trigger mechanisms that cause degenerative chang es in the foot. The severity of laminitis is related to the frequency, intensity, and duration of systemic acidotic insults on the mechanism s responsible for the release of vasoactive substance. The critical li nk between acidosis and laminitis appears to be associated with a pers istent hypoperfusion, which results in ischemia in the digit. Manageme nt of acidosis is critical in preventing laminitis. High producing dai ry herds attempting to maximize energy intake are continually confront ed with subclinical acidosis and laminitis. Management of feeding and husbandry practices can be implemented to reduce incidence of disease.