Composition for treatment of acidosis in ruminants and method

A paste-consistency composition consisting essentially by weight of from about 40% to about 60% of a source of alkalinity selected from the group consisting of non-toxic carbonates, bicarbonates and sesquicarbonates, from about 15% to about 40% fatty vehicle and from about 5% to about 40% thickener is applied to the tongue of a ruminant for treatment of acidosis.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to the treatment of ruminants for acidosis. 
The term "ruminant" is used herein in a broad sense as including animals 
that chew the cud and have a plurality of stomach chambers including a 
first chamber referred to as a rumen. Ruminants include, for example, 
cattle (both beef and milk cattle, e.g. bulls, steers and cows), sheep, 
buffalo, goats, camels, reindeer, water buffalo, elk, deer and giraffes. 
As used herein, the term "acidosis" means an excess of lactic acid in the 
rumen and the harmful results that are caused by this. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Acidosis in ruminants is normally caused by a feed overload. This occurs, 
for example, because of a feed error (e.g. too much grain because of 
accidentally feeding a finish ration instead of a normal ration) or 
because of a feed breakdown (e.g. because the weather or other cause 
prevents the animals from eating) followed by overeating. When the feed 
overload occurs, the bacteria in the rumen have not had a chance to adapt 
to the temporary situation and produce an excess of lactic acid. The 
harmful results that occur include the death of rumen bacteria and passage 
of lactic acid through the rumen wall into the bloodstream to lower the 
systemic pH. The death of rumen bacteria results in interference with the 
animal's digestion. The lowering of systemic pH can inhibit nervous system 
function and muscle response and can result in death. 
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual (4th edition), one preferred 
treatment of acidosis involves emptying the rumen contents and replacing 
such with rumen contents from a healthy animal, and an alternative 
treatment involves emptying the rumen contents, irrigating the rumen 15 to 
20 times and using balanced electrolytes to correct acid-base imbalance 
and dehydration and to restore renal function. These treatments are 
impractical especially if a plurality of animals are affected. Other 
treatments disclosed in Merck consist of oral drenching with calcium 
carbonate or magnesium hydroxide solutions. These treatments are not very 
effective and can lead to bloat. 
Sodium bicarbonate has been used in the treatment of rumen acidosis. 
However, such use presents difficulties. For example, if an aqueous 
solution of sodium bicarbonate is pumped into an acidotic animal's rumen, 
large quantities of carbon dioxide quickly form and the animal has 
difficulty eructating these because of reduced muscle response; this leads 
to bloat and the risk of pressure on the animal's heart and death. 
Dunn, B. H., Emerick, R. J. and Embry, L. B., Journal of Animal Science 48, 
No. 4 (1979) report some success in preventing acidosis in feed overload 
situations by including in the feed sodium bentonite and/or sodium 
bicarbonate. This is not a satisfactory solution because continued feeding 
does not result in continued weight gain improvement and because a higher 
incidence of urinary calculi was noted in lambs and steers on a continuing 
diet (maintenance doses) including sodium bicarbonate. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It has been discovered herein that the disadvantages of maintenance doses 
of sodium bicarbonate in feed are overcome and that bicarbonate as well as 
carbonate and sesquicarbonate can be used to treat acidosis in ruminants 
if lactic acid in the rumen is gradually neutralized by controlled release 
of the bicarbonate or other source of alkalinity from a paste formulation. 
The slow release offers protection against the harmful effects of bloat. 
A first mechanism involves controlled release of the treatment composition 
into the rumen. This is accomplished by using treatment composition in the 
form of a paste having a consistency similar to peanut butter and applying 
it to the animal's tongue whereby the composition cannot be spit out or 
swallowed all at once and is instead gradually swallowed, for example, 
over a period ranging from about two to 10 minutes. Moreover, the 
consistency is such that it promotes a tendency for the animal to roll its 
tongue thereby obtaining the same motion as is required to eruct 
controllably generated gas. 
A second mechanism involves using the source of alkalinity in combination 
with a fatty vehicle which interferes with immediate contact and reaction 
of all of the source of alkalinity with the excess lactic acid and thus 
provides controlled release of alkaline neutralizing agent in the rumen. 
The composition of the present invention for treating acidosis in ruminants 
consists essentially by weight of 
(a) from about 40% to about 60% of a source of alkalinity selected from the 
group consisting of non-toxic carbonate, bicarbonate and sesquicarbonate, 
(b) from about 15% to about 40% fatty vehicle, and 
(c) from about 5% to about 40% thickener in an amount to provide a paste 
consistency. 
In accordance with the method of treatment of the present invention, the 
composition is applied to the tongue of the acidotic ruminant in a dosage 
so as to ameliorate symptoms of acidosis. Applied composition is gradually 
and substantially released from the tongue of the treated animal to the 
rumen over a period of, for example, from about two to about 10 minutes, 
preferably over a period of from about three to about five minutes and 
source of alkalinity in composition reaching the rumen is gradually 
released in the rumen to react with excess lactic acid therein over a 
period of, for example, from about 10 minutes to about six hours, 
preferably over a period of from about 15 minutes to about three hours. 
Besides being advantageous in affording controlled release to combat excess 
lactic acid without the occurrence of bloat the composition herein is 
shelf stable as the fatty vehicle functions to protect the alkaline 
ingredient from decomposition during storage. The composition and method 
herein are additionally advantageous in respectively allowing and 
providing a convenient way of administering treatment. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The composition of the present invention preferably consists essentially by 
weight of 
(a) from about 45% to about 55% of a source of alkalinity selected from the 
group consisting of non-toxic carbonate, bicarbonate and sesquicarbonate, 
(b) from about 20% to about 30% fatty vehicle, and 
(c) from about 10% to about 35% thickener. 
Turning now to the compounds used as the source of alkalinity, these are 
preferably metal salts wherein the metal is selected from the group 
consisting of sodium, potassuum, calcium and magnesium. Preferred 
compounds include sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium 
sesquicarbonate, alkali metal carbonates (sodium carbonate or potassium 
carbonate) and alkaline earth metal carbonates (calcium carbonate or 
magnesium carbonate). The most preferred compound is sodium bicarbonate. 
If desired, mixtures of compounds can be used as the source of alkalinity. 
Turning now to the fatty vehicle ingredient, it preferably is derived from 
naturally occurring glyceride oils, such as vegetable or marine oils, or 
from animal fats. The term "derived from" means that the oil or other 
fatty ingredient is directly used as the fatty vehicle ingredient or 
undergoes processing to provide such ingredient. Preferably, the fatty 
ingredient is derived from a vegetable oil such as coconut oil, corn oil, 
cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, safflower 
oil, sesame seed oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil and wallflower seed 
oil. Suitable marine oils include herring oil, menhaden oil, pilchard oil, 
salmon oil, sardine oil and whale oil. Suitable animal fat derived fatty 
vehicles are described in Rule 6, Section 3 of the Trading and Arbitration 
Rules of the American Fats & Oils Association, Inc. and include grease 
grades of Choice White (minimum titre, i.e. m.t., of 37, maximum free 
fatty acid, i.e. m.f.f.a. of 4.0 and maximum iodine units, i.e. m.i.u., of 
1), "A" White (m.t. of 37, m.f.f.a. of 8.0 and m.i.u. of 1) and "B" White 
(m.t. of 37, m.f.f.a. of 10.0 and m.i.u. of 1) and tallow grades of Top 
White (m.t. of 41, m.f.f.a. of 2, m.i.u. of 1), Extra Fancy (m.t. of 41, 
m.f.f.a. of 3 and m.i.u. of 1) and Fancy and Bleachable Fancy (m.t. of 
40.5, m.f.f.a. of 4 and m.i.u. of 1). A very desirable fatty vehicle is 
refined soybean oil. 
As indicated above, the fatty vehicle has a double synergistic effect. 
Firstly, it controls release of alkaline ingredient in the rumen. 
Secondly, it protects against decomposition during product storage and 
therefore is instrumental in providing product with excellent shelf life. 
The release rate of alkaline ingredient in the rumen is related to the 
fatty vehicle to alkaline ingredient weight ratio. A weight ratio of 
0.4-0.6 parts fatty vehicle to 1 part alkaline ingredient normally 
provides controlled release in the rumen over a period ranging from about 
15 minutes to about 3 hours at the dosage rates specified hereinafter. 
Decreasing the ratio decreases the release period, and increasing the 
ratio increases the release period. 
Turning now to the thickener ingredient, it preferably is selected from any 
of the approved food grade thickeners. Suitable thickeners include, for 
example, natural gums, such as gum karaya, gum arabic, gum tragacanth, 
guar gum, and locust bean gum; gel-forming materials such as aluminum 
monostearate, colloidal magnesium-aluminum silicate, finely divided 
silica, and clays, such as kaolin, bentonite, montmorillonite and 
attapulgite clays; water-soluble salts of cellulose ethers such as sodium 
carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose and sodium 
carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose: and synthetic thickeners such as alkyl 
poly(oxyalkylene) esters of acrylate oligomers and copolymers thereof. 
Other suitable thickeners include microcrystalline cellulose, starch, and 
Thixcin. 
The thickener is selected and used in an amount so that the composition has 
a paste consistency, i.e. a soft plastic consistency and preferably a 
consistency similar to that of peanut butter. A suitable test for 
determining relative consistencies is the penetration test done with the 
aid of a grease pentrometer according to A.S.T.M. Method D 217-52T. 
Penetration values are obtained by placing a standard grease cone on the 
surface of a sample to be penetrated and measuring the number of tenths of 
a millimeter the cone penetrates the sample in 5 seconds. The composition 
is tested for consistency as determined by penetration after the 
temperature of the sample is brought to 70.degree. F. when it has been 
stored at higher or lower temperatures. For purposes of this invention a 
Precision Scientific A.S.T.M. Pentrometer with a 47 g. cone on a 9" shaft, 
the cone measuring 2".times.19/32", is used. Using this instrument the 
desired range of penetration values is normally from about 175 to about 
300 mm./10. A penetration value less than 175 normally indicates too firm 
a product, while a penetration value of more than about 300 normally will 
indicate a product which is susceptible to oil separation. 
In a preferred composition, the thickener comprises kaolin present in an 
amount ranging from about 10% to about 30% by weight of the composition 
used in combination with aluminum monostearate present in an amount 
ranging from about 0.5% to about 4% by weight of the composition. 
As indicated above, the selected consistency is very important in that it 
causes the composition to stick to the animal's tongue when applied 
thereto so that the composition is controllably released from the tongue 
to the rumen and so that the animal after dosing has a tendency to roll 
its tongue with a motion allowing for expelling of formed gas, whereby the 
possibility of bloat occurring is minimized. 
Turning now to the method of preparing the composition herein, the order 
and manner of admixing the ingredients is not critical. In respect to a 
preferred composition consisting of sodium bicarbonate, refined soybean 
oil, kaolin and aluminum monostearate, product is preferably prepared as 
follows: the aluminum monostearate is dispersed in the oil, and the 
admixture is heated to 120.degree.-140.degree. C., with stirring. The 
admixture is then cooled with stirring to form a gel and the sodium 
bicarbonate is dispersed therein. Then the kaolin is slowly incorporated. 
Turning now to the dosage, the composition is normally administered to 
provide the dose of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 grams of sodium 
bicarbonate or alkalinity equivalent thereof per pound of animal per day. 
It is normally advantageous to administer the composition in one 
application per day for two to three days. 
The composition is preferably administered by applying the same to the top 
back portion of the animal's tongue. The composition is preferably 
packaged in a tube or cartridge and is applied using a conventional 
caulking gun by inserting the gun into the animal's mouth and injecting 
the composition from the tube or cartridge onto the animal's tongue. 
Different size animals are readily accommodated by providing a plurality 
of cartridge sizes. 
The composition herein is capable of being used as a treatment for acidosis 
rather than a preventative such as feed containing sodium bicarbonate 
and/or sodium bentonite and thus does not need to be administered on a 
continuing basis with the attendant risk of urinary calculi. The 
composition and application method herein provide controlled release of 
alkaline agent and thus minimize risk of bloat. the composition is shelf 
stable and resists decomposition. The composition permits the convenient 
application method of the invention. The composition and application 
method herein ameliorate the symptoms of acidosis and save a significant 
percentage of animals who might otherwise die. In addition treated animals 
may show a gain in weight rather than a loss normally encountered in 
acidotic animals. 
The invention is illustrated in the following detailed example.

EXAMPLE 
Acidosis treatment composition is made up according to the following 
composition: 
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Ingredient Parts By Weight 
______________________________________ 
Sodium Bicarbonate USP 
500 
Kaolin USP 230 
Aluminum Monostearate USP 
14.85 
Soybean Oil, Refined (IV = 120 to 140) 
255.15 
______________________________________ 
The composition is prepared as follows: The aluminum monostearate is 
dispersed in the oil and the admixture is heated to 130.degree. C., with 
stirring. The admixture is then cooled with stirring to form a gel, and 
the sodium bicarbonate is dispersed in the gel. Then, the kaolin is slowly 
incorporated. The finished product has a consistency of peanut butter. The 
finished product is packaged in tubes with each tube holding 320 grams of 
treatment composition (160 grams of sodium bicarbonate). 
Composition having the formula set forth above was tested in the treatment 
of acidotic steers against a control group and against treatment using 
aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The treatment composition is 
administered by injecting from a tube using a caulking gun onto the back 
top portion of the treated animal's tongue. The aqueous sodium bicarbonate 
solution is administered by pumping treatment solution into the treated 
animal's rumen. The treatment using the composition of the invention is 
referred to hereinafter as paste treatment. The treatment using aqueous 
sodium bicarbonate solution is referred to hereinafter as aqueous 
bicarbonate or aqueous sodium bicarbonate treatment or treatment with 
sodium bicarbonate and water. The control group received no treatment. 
The comparison study was carried out as follows. 
Twenty head of Holstein steers were received on day 1. The average incoming 
weight for an animal was 560 lbs. The cattle were eartaged and weighed 
upon receipt. The steers were then placed on irrigated grass pasture to 
determine baseline physiological values. 
Indwelling arterial catheters were placed in the tail by a veterinarian on 
days 2 and 3. All of the surgery was done under a local anesthetic and the 
animals remained standing throughout. Antibiotic was given at the time of 
surgery. The tails were wrapped with the catheters completely covered. 
This was done to provide the most protection for the catheters. Wraps were 
replaced and cleaned as needed throughout the trial. 
The cattle were weighed on the morning of day 4 and daily thereafter 
through day 14. 
All of the cattle were bled on days 4, 6 and 8. The resulting samples were 
analysed for pH, pCO.sub.2, pO.sub.2, base excess, bicarbonate, total 
CO.sub.2, hemoglobin, hematocrit and plasma protein. The serum was then 
pooled by animal for the determination of sodium, potassium and chloride. 
This provided a baseline value for each individual animal. 
At 5 p.m. on day 8 the cattle were assigned to treatment groups as follows: 
8 head-paste treatment; 8 head-control; 4 head-aqueous sodium bicarbonate. 
The cattle were placed in pens with 4 head/pen. Feed was withheld from all 
of the cattle from 5 p.m. on day 8 to 5 p.m. on day 9. The cattle had 
access to water at all times throughout the trial. During this 24 hour 
period, a weather front passed through the area. The weather throughout 
the trial was hot, mid 90's, during the day and in the upper 60's during 
the early morning hours. 
The cattle were weighed on the morning of day 9. A 90% concentrate ration 
was fed free choice at 5 p.m. on day 9. The cattle consumed 35 lbs./head 
in the following 20 hours. The ration fed was balanced to meet industry 
standards. 
The analysis of the gram mix constituting the ration is set forth below: 
______________________________________ 
As Received 
100% Dry Basis 
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Laboratory Values 
Dry Matter 92.34 % 
Moisture 7.66 % 
Crude Protein 10.75 11.64% 
Acid Detergent Fiber 
9.69 10.49% 
Total Ash 3.54 3.83% 
Potassium 0.69 0.75% 
Sodium 0.18 0.19% 
Calcium 0.51 0.55% 
Magnesium 0.15 0.16% 
Phosphorus 0.31 0.34% 
Chlorine 0.07 0.08% 
Sulfur 0.02 0.02% 
Estimated Values 
Digestible Protein 
6.99 7.57% 
Total Digestible 
71.39 77.32% 
Nutrients 
Metabolizable Energy 
1,258 1,362 KCAL/LB 
Net Energy for 
835 904 KCAL/LB 
Maintenance 
Net Energy for Gain 
547 592 KCAL/LB 
Net Energy for Milk 
812 880 KCAL/LB 
______________________________________ 
By 10 p.m. on day 9, approximately 20% of the cattle showed observable 
symptoms of acidosis. The cattle showed scours, hard breathing, some 
dehydration and a few had slobbers. None of the cattle were showing any 
interest in feed by this time. One animal was down in the pen and would 
not get up. 
At 1 p.m. on day 10, 45-50% of the cattle were showing observable symptoms 
of moderate to severe acidosis. These symptoms included scours, slobbers, 
lack of coordination and visible evidence of dehydration. At this time, 4 
head were down in the pens and would not get up. The decision was made to 
begin treatment of the cattle. The paste group was given 1/2 of a tube of 
paste, (equivalent to approximately 80 gms. of sodium bicarbonate) and the 
aqueous bicarbonate group was given 200 gms. of sodium bicarbonate in 2 L 
of warm water, administered by stomach tube. Control cattle received no 
treatment. 
The paste and the aqueous bicarbonate treated cattle were bled 
approximately 1 hour after the first treatment. Response to paste 
treatment appeared to be very slow and the decision was made to give 
another 1/2 tube per animal. After this treatment, the paste treated 
animals visibly looked better than the control cattle. There was no 
visible difference between the paste and aqueous bicarbonate treated 
cattle. 
The cattle were all bled late on the evening of day 10. One of the control 
cattle was very sick and unable to stand at 11 p.m. By midnight he had 
died. The remaining cattle were all still visibly acidotic and showed no 
interest in food. 
By the morning of day 11, the paste and aqueous bicarbonate treated cattle 
were still showing observable signs of acidosis. These cattle were again 
treated, the paste cattle with 1 tube of acidosis paste and the aqueous 
bicarbonate cattle with 200 gms. sodium bicarbonate in 2 L of warm water. 
The paste treated cattle showed improvement within one hour of treatment. 
Two of the four cattle in the aqueous bicarbonate treated group showed 
signs of bloat almost immediately after the administration of the 
treatment. Both of these cattle were in states of uncompensated metabolic 
alkalosis following treatment. A third steer in the aqueous bicarbonate 
treated group showed signs of respiratory alkalosis. 
The control group was extremely acidotic on the morning of day 11. All of 
the cattle in this group showed observable symptoms of acidosis. These 
signs included severe scours, slobbers, visual dehydration, and loss of 
muscle coordination. The blood gas measurements on these cattle indicated 
either a metabolic acidosis or a true organic acidosis. Symptomology of 
acidosis was apparent in all of the cattle. There were 3 of the 7 head 
that could not stand. All of the control cattle were scoured and 
dehydrated. 
One hour after treatment the paste treated cattle were visibly improving. 
The metabolic state of this group ranged from normal acid/base balance to 
uncompensated metabolic acidosis with respiratory alkalosis. There was a 
definite trend in all of the paste cattle toward compensation of the 
acidosis. 
Grass hay was fed free choice at 11 a.m. on day 11. All of the standing 
cattle went to feed for at least a short period of time. Throughout the 
day, the cattle had access to grass hay. By the end of day 11, all of the 
paste treated and aqueous sodium bicarbonate treated cattle were standing 
and eating. The control cattle were still visibly sicker and two head were 
not able to stand. 
Blood samples were drawn on an "as needed" basis between days 10 and 12. 
Whenever possible, the animal was in the chute and weights were also 
obtained. 
On the morning of day 12, all of the cattle were visibly improving. Only 
one calf in the control group still could not stand. There were still 
signs of acidosis, i.e. scouring, labored breathing, and slobbers, present 
in approximately 40% of all the cattle. The decision was made to treat the 
paste cattle with 1/2 tube of paste. Several of the cattle also had 
respiratory problems. These were characterized by snotty noses, labored 
breathing and a slight elevation in temperature. Any cattle showing these 
symptoms were treated with Liquamycin-LA. 
By the afternoon of day 13, the cattle were all recovered enough to go out 
to the corral. The cattle were maintained on a ration of grass hay until 
day 15. Blood samples were drawn in the afternoon of days 13 and 14, and 
on the morning of day 15. By day 15 there was no significant difference in 
the bicarbonate levels between the control, aqueous bicarbonate and paste 
treated cattle. The bicarbonate levels in all of the treatment groups were 
all within 24 meq/L +/-0.5 meq/L. At this point, the catheters were 
removed and the cattle were returned to grass pasture. 
All of the blood samples after the baseline period were analysed for plasma 
sodium, potassium and chloride. The anion gap (Na-Cl-HCO.sub.3) was 
calculated as well as the metabolic state of the animal. 
This trial simulated a severe "feed wreck" where cattle were received into 
a feedlot on the wrong ration. Instead of the low energy ration usually 
fed to new cattle, these cattle were fed a typical high energy, finish 
ration. This mistake nearly always results in a group of feedsick, 
acidotic, cattle. In this trial, a state of severe acidosis was induced in 
all of the cattle on trial. The severity of the acidosis, prior to 
treatment, was uniform across all of the pens of cattle. Approximately one 
half of the cattle were identified as having a true organic acidosis. 
The cattle treated with the paste did not become as acidotic as the control 
cattle. The bicarbonate and the base excess, both measures of available 
buffering capacity, were significantly higher in the paste treated cattle. 
Although the paste treated cattle still showed some observable symptoms of 
acidosis, the severity was much less than in the control cattle. Some of 
the paste treated cattle showed a slight metabolic alkalosis after 
treatment. This metabolic state was not severe and did not last very long. 
The recovery of these cattle was visually and metabolically faster and 
better than the untreated control cattle. 
The cattle treated with sodium bicarbonate and water were also visibly 
better than the control cattle. This treatment group did, however, show 
some negative side effects. Two of the four cattle in this group showed 
signs of moderate to severe bloat immediately after drenching with the 
sodium bicarbonate and water. Although neither of these animals were 
treated for bloat, this danger is significant. Metabolically these cattle 
were alkalotic and often uncompensated. Three of the four cattle in this 
group showed signs of uncompensated metabolic or respiratory acidosis. The 
visible recovery of these cattle from the acidosis was comparable to the 
cattle treated with paste. The metabolic recovery however, was not. Where 
the paste treated cattle returned to normal acid/base balance more slowly, 
no signs of prolonged metabolic alkalosis were seen. Three of the four 
bicarbonate and water cattle showed signs of prolonged metabolic 
alkalosis. 
The control cattle were visibly and metabolically acidotic. The observable 
symptoms were scours, slobbering, labored breathing and lack of muscle 
coordination. These cattle showed negative base excess values and very low 
bicarbonate values while visibly acidotic. The recovery was low. One steer 
died on the first day after return of full feed, day 10. This steer was 
unable to stand for at least 16 hours prior to death. One other steer was 
also unable to stand for 12 hours between days 10 and 11. While he could 
not stand, water and hay were hauled to him. This steer probably would not 
have survived in a typical feedlot situation. 
The weight changes that occured during this trial should be noted. As can 
be seen from the following table which recites daily mean weights, the 
paste treated cattle actually finished the trial gaining weight. The 
bicarbonate and water treated cattle lost weight. This shows that the 
effects of alkalosis on performance can be as detrimental as the effects 
of acidosis. The control cattle, as expected, lost the most weight during 
the course of the trial. 
TABLE 
______________________________________ 
Day Control* Paste Aqueous Bicarbonate 
______________________________________ 
4 572.6 lbs. 558.1 lbs. 557.0 lbs. 
5 566.4 558.8 552.5 
6 569.3 565.0 560.0 
7 563.3 555.4 556.8 
8 575.7 569.5 574.5 
9 552.6 540.3 568.5 
10 575.6 568.8 566.3 
11 560.1 550.4 549.0 
12 549.4 552.9 553.5 
13 554.7 564.0 555.0 
14 554.7 567.1 555.8 
______________________________________ 
*This data includes 7 head; it excludes the animal that died. 
The data from this trial indicates that the acidosis paste is beneficial in 
the treatment of acidosis in cattle. The paste treatment reduces the 
severity of the acidosis and enhances the subsequent recovery. No signs of 
prolonged metabolic alkalosis were observed in these cattle. The ease of 
treatment with the paste was also an advantage. From the data and the 
visible animal response, it can be inferred that the release of the 
bicarbonate in the oil based paste is slower and more controled than the 
release of aqueous sodium bicarbonate. 
The bicarbonate and water group did recover from the acidosis as rapidly as 
the paste treated cattle; however, the side effects of bloat, prolonged 
metabolic alkalosis and subsequent poor performance limit the use of this 
treatment. From a practical basis, the use of a stomach pump and drench 
tube is also not feasible on a large scale. 
Results similar to those obtained above of ameliorating the symptoms of 
acidosis without bloat are obtained when equivalent amounts of sodium 
sesquicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate or potassium 
carbonate or calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate are substituted in 
the above formulation in place of part or all of the sodium bicarbonate. 
Other variations will be evident to those skilled in the art. Therefore, 
the scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the claims.