Alkaline Indigestion or Alkalosis
Alkaline indigestion is a type of indigestion commonly seen in ruminants because of faulty feeding of proteins or accidental ingestion of urea, resulting in increased production of ammonia in the rumen, which is clinically manifested by signs of urea toxicity or ammonia toxicity.
Alkaline Indigestion is also known as alkalosis.
Etiology of Alkaline Indigestion
The etiology of alkaline indigestion or alkalosis is listed below:
- Accidental ingestion of urea (fertilizer) (toxic doses of urea is 0.5 gm/Kg body weight)
- Exclusive paddy straw feeding
- Excessive ingestion of protein rich feed
- Placentophagia (contain high amount of protein)
- Guar feed is highly fermentable in rumen, so this also cause alkalosis when excessive guar given
- Sewage water drinking that has high E.coli which changes pH towards alkalinity
- Eating of garden soil has microbes which changes the pH towards alkalinity
Pathogenesis
Urea decomposed Paddy straw or protein decomposition releases a large amount of ammonia that makes the rumen pH highly alkaline (about 8 to 9.5). Ammonia is absorbed into the rumen, and the animal exhibits signs of ammonia toxicity.
Clinical Signs
Sudden development of anorexia, salivation, and lacrimation. There could be decreased contractions or ruminal atony, signs of abdominal pain (groaning), constant sit-ups, or kicking at the belly. Faeces are usually pasty and pungent-smelling. The vital parameters like HR, RR, and PR are increased, but there is no significant change in body temperature. In advanced cases, nervous signs are evident, like convolutions, falling down on the ground, ophisthotonus, and peddling. During the convulsive stage, there is a recurrent episode of bronchial spasms indicated clinically by interrupted respiratory cycles, and if not treated, most animals die during this stage.
Diagnosis
- Based on history: Access to urea or exclusive feeding of straw.
- Based on Clinical signs: Atonic rumen, complete anorexia, signs of abdominal pain, passing of pasty faeces, convulsions.
- Based on Lab exams: Ruminal fluid examination
- Colour: Dark brown
- Consistency: Watery
- Smell: Putrefied/Fishy/Ammonical
- pH: 8.5 to 10
- Microscopically there is absence of micro flora
- MBRT and SAT time is elevated
- Biochemistry of blood: Increased BUN in blood and CSF to about 2 to 3 times
Differential diagnosis
- Lead poisoning: Here also nervous signs are seen, but there is H/O licking point.
- CHC poisoning: Which is applied as ectoparasiticide or pesticide, here convulsive episodes are more pronounced and response to calcium therapy along with history may help in differentiation.
- Acidosis: Acidosis is the counter disease of alkalosis; a wrong diagnosis in these may cause animal loss.
Treatment of Alkaline Indigestion
Changing the ruminal pH and stopping further ammonia production. This can be done by administration of 4% acetic acid 100-500 ml (5-10 ml/kg body weight). Commonly, vinegar bottles are available in 1 litre, and commercial lactic acid preparations are also used.
Preferably intra ruminal antibiotic is advised to check the growth of unwanted microbes (Sterptopenicillin @1 large dose).
Liver tonics play a vital role, and B-complex preparation with liver extract is more effective in improving impaired liver function.
Cud transplantation for the rejuvenation of microflora can be performed.