They may appear blind, grind their teeth, grunt, and occasionally kick at their belly. A foul smelling diarrhea may be observed unless the condition is so acute that the animal dies before it can develop. In severe cases animals will lie down, unable to rise. They generally lie quietly with their head tucked to the side. Body temperature may be subnormal and the pulse is weak.
Death usually occurs within a few hours after the animals go down.
Animals that survive may suffer from damaged ruminal lining and destruction of rumen microflora leading to a fungal overgrowth of the rumen and death. Some deaths may occur as long as 3 weeks after a herd episode of overeating and acidosis. Less severe rumen lining damage may lead to liver abscesses and growth impairment. Laminitis, or founder, may follow acute acidosis, and evidence of subacute laminitis in the form of overgrown and deformed hooves may be present 30-60 days later. The only overt signs of subacute acidosis may be reduced gains and the presence of diarrhea in the form of flat gray stools.