Abstract
ABSTRACT
Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) has a serious effect on both animal health and final herd profitability. The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of SARA in Egyptian dairy herds and the associated risk factors. Moreover, ultrasonographic and biochemical investigation on such disease were also attempted. A total of 80 dairy cows were selected randomly from eight herds raised in El-Behara province. For each cow, clinical examination, rumenocentesis and ultrasonographic examination of liver were carried out. Questionnaire was constructed to evaluate the risk factors of SARA. The prevalence of SARA-positive cow and SARA-marginal cows were 26.25% and 13.75%, respectively. The pH of ruminal fluid in SARA-positive and SARA-marginal cows was 5.29±0.027 and 5.68±0.018 respectively The risk factors include feeding on finely ground concentrates, neglecting application of exogenous buffer as sodium bicarbonate, neglecting yeast mixing with ration, mixing ground bread and beet tops with feed as well as absence of roughages incorporation. A significant hypo-albuminemia (p<0.05) and a significant increase in the activity of AST, ALT and GGT were recorded in SARA-positive cows (p< 0. 05). The results of the present study indicate that SARA is a common problem in dairy herds in El-Behera. Risk factors associated with such disease should be avoided to construct the ideal methods for prevention. Liver function in suspected cases should be monitored to avoid deterioration of the condition.

Key words: Keywords: SARA, Dairy cows, Ultrasonography, Liver function