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Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

DOI

-

Abstract

This study was made to determine the degree of protection of sheep against ruminal acidosis after the addition of various concentrations of sodium bicarbonate (3%, 6%, 9%) to acidotic rations (crushed wheat). For this purpose four groups, each group consisting of three animals, were used. This grouping was established according to the rate of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ) added to the crushed wheat. Crushed wheat-wheat strax mixture (Base ration, 90; 10, 40 gr/kg) was fed to animals once a day for up to 4 days. NaHCO 3 was added to base ration. Treatments were as follows: No treatment (control, group I), 3% NaHCO 3 of base ration (group II), 6% NaHCO3 of base ration (group III), 9% NaHCO3 of base ration (group IV). The clinical and laboratory examinations were carried out before first feeding (0h) and thereafter 4,8,12,24,36,48,60,72 and 96 hour intervals. At four hours post feeding a decrease in ruminal pH values occured in control and trial groups. At eight hours and afterwards acidosis was detected in the control group but not in the trial groups. As a result, it was determined that the addition of 3%, 6%, or 9% sodium bicarbonate into the sheep ration rich for carbonhydrates would prevent the animals from ruminal acidosis and the adidition of 6% sodium Bicarbonate would be most proper.

Keywords

Sheep, Ruminal Acidosis, Prevention, Sodium Bicarbonate.

First Page

333

Last Page

344

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