Prevalence of subacute ruminal acidosis in some dairy herds of Khorasan Razavi province, northeast of Iran

Abstract

Summary To estimate the prevalence of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in dairy cows, a total of 196 ruminal fluid samples were drawn by rumenocentesis from 10 dairy herds of Khorasan Razavi province, northeast of Iran. Two groups of 12 cows, early lactation and mid-lactation cows were sampled in each dairy herd and ruminal pH was determined immediately using a portable pH-meter. A total of 54 cows (27.6%) were found to be experiencing SARA. No significant differences were found between SARA affected and non-affected cows in ruminal contractions, faecal quality and fat and protein components of milk.