Clinical evaluation of zebuine and taurine cattle with acute rumen lactic acidosis

Abstract

To compare the clinical signs and the susceptibility to acute rumen lactic acidosis (ARLA), experimentally induced, five Jersey (J) (Bos taurus) and five Gir (G) (Bos indicus) steers were used. The ARLA caused in all animals tachycardia, decreased rumen movement, diarrhoea, and dehydration; Although G steers presented higher tachycardia and tendency to a more severe dehydration, the J steers exhibited a pronounced depression in the general state, requiring an intense treatment to recover. J steers needed more time to recover the normal appetite. Thus, regarding clinical picture, was observed that J steers are more susceptible to ARLA than G. Positive correlation was found between plasma volume deficit and tachycardia (r = 0.67); blood pH did not influence heart rate (r= - 0.25).