SARA

Question 1

What is SARA?

Answer 1

• sub-acute ruminal acidosis
• SARA is characterized by repeated bouts of low rumen pH, but unlike the situation with acute acidosis, the pH recovers after each bout
• These bouts of low pH typically last for several minutes to several hours

Low pH + excess starch = rapid fermentation

Low pH + insufficient fibre = decrease rumination

Question 2

SARA predisposition

Answer 2

Excess starch
- High concentrate feeding
- Slug feeding (molasses or maize feeding)

Lack of fibre
- Dietary sorting
- Low fibre in the diet

Decreased intakes
- Heat stress
- Poor cow comfort
-Poor transition cow management

Question 3

SARA Clinical signs

Answer 3

• BCS loss
• Variable faecal consistency
• Reduced:
  – Rumen contractility
  – Rumination
  – Feed intake
  – Rumen fill
• Periodic anorexia
• Increased faecal contamination of tail, rump and perineum
• Ejected cud balls

Question 4

SARA associated conditions

Answer 4

• Milk yield suppression
• Milk fat suppression
• Liver abscess
• Caudal vena cava syndrome*

Question 5

SARA diagnosis

Answer 5

• rumen fluid sampling via:
  – stomach tube
  -> saliva can affect sampling from stomach tubing
  -> throw away first bit so have less contamination
  – rumenocentesis

need to sample 5-10 cows.

pH will be lower than 5.5.

Question 6

SARA Monitoring

Answer 6

Regular Monitoring:
- Regularly monitor the rumen pH, especially in high-risk periods such as post-partum and during diet changes

Manure Observation:
- Observe manure consistency
- Loose manure with undigested grains can be an indicator of SARA

Sensors:
- Drop in rumination and rumen pH (indwelling boluses)

Question 7

SARA Prevention and control measures

Answer 7

Diet management:
- Gradual increase of concentrate in the diet post-partum
- Adequate intake of physically effective fibre (peNDF)
- Use of starches that are slowly fermentable

Feed space:
- Sufficient feeding space for each cow

Feed Additives:
- Use feed additives like buffers (e.g., sodium bicarbonate)

Question 8

SARA tx

Answer 8

• oral fluids with bicarbonate