What is Acidosis?

Acidosis appears when the fermentation profile of the rumen is unbalanced by high
levels of either lactic acid or butyric acid. Lactic acid production usually equals lactic
acid use, so lactic acid is not usually present in a healthy rumen. However, two levels of
acidosis can and do sometimes occur.

Acidosis Causes, Symptoms and Reducing Risk

Acute Rumen Acidosis

Sub-Acute Acidosis


The combined financial impact of rumen acidosis is staggering. When you factor in milk
yield, fat and protein production, fertility and laminitis, the one study estimates the
overall impact to the U.S. dairy industry is between $500 million and $1 billion per year
(Mutsvangwa, 2003). Another study estimates acidosis costs $3,600 per 100 cows
(Stone, 1999).

Today’s rations are designed to maximize energy for milk production. While effective,
they can also have an adverse effect on the rumen and induce acidosis. The illustration
below shows step-by-step how acidosis can occur in the rumen.

Step-by-step microbial mechanisms of occurence of acidosis in the rumen:

Left untreated, acidosis can cause severe damage to the rumen environment. The
photos below illustrate healthy rumen papillae and rumen papillae damage due to
acidosis.

Healthy Rumen Papillae		Severe Damage to Rumen Papillae Caused by Acidosis

Other Acidosis Links