Studies on Clinico-biochemical and Pathological Changes in the Urea-induced Acute Rumen Alkalosis in Buffalo Calves

Randhawa S. S., P. S. Dhaliwal, P. P. Gupta, A. K. Ahuja, S. S. R a th 0 r : Studies on Clinico-biochemical and Pathological Changes in the Urea-Induced Acute Rumen Alkalosis in Buffalo Calves. Acta vet. Brno, 58, 1989: 225-243. Peracute rumen alkalosis was induced by intraruminal administration of urea @ 1.25 g/kg. b. wt. as a single dose in six healthy male Murrah buffalo calves of about 1 2 years age. Peracute ammonia toxicity resulted in profuse salivation, ruminal stress, incoordination, recumbency followed by clonic convulsions, frequency of which increased with the progression of the condition, dyspnea, hyperpnea, tachycardia, opisthotonus, pupillary dilatation followed by death of the animals between 60-150 mts. It was observed that a linear relationship exists between death time and body weight of the calf with the same dose rate. Electrocardiographic studies revealed ventricular fibrillation with superimposition of P wave over T wave. The cardiac potentials gave rise to random osci11ations. Studies on liver function tests revealed that ammonia toxicity markedly affects the functional status of the liver as indicated by increase in serum enzymatic activities of arginase, glutamic oxalotransaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase with increase in the half life of B.S.P. excretion rate which was subsequently confirmed by histopathological observations. Histopathological changes in the digestive system revealed exfoliation of the epithelial lining of the mucous membrane of the rumen, lymphocytic abomasitis, and necrotic enteritis. Other significant histopathological alterations were follicular cholecystitis, meningo-encephalitis, lymphocytic nephritis and cystitis, and alveolar emphysema. Intoxication, ECG, rumen liquor, blood, urine Sudden changes in the dietary constituents with consumption of excess amounts of protein-rich concentrates and/or non-protein nitrogenous compounds has resulted in frequent occurrence of rumen alkalosis in ruminants. The disease is characterised by excessive production of ammonia in the rumen which may produce gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, circulatory and nervous disturbances (Chalupa 1968; Parkins et aI.