Rumen pH and hoof health in two groups of captive wild ruminants

Abstract

The connection between a feeding regime with a high proportion of concentrates and laminitis is well recognized in domestic animal medicine but has received little attention in captive wild hoofstock. We used the occasion of a transport of two ruminant groups, that necessitated immobilization, for an evaluation of the appearance of the hooves on the one, and of the pH of the rumen fluid gained by ruminocentesis on the other hand. A group of eight Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) had a median rumen pH of 7.2 and a low hoof ring score, indicative of good hoof health. A group of seven blackbuck antelope (Antilope cervicapra), in contrast, had a median rumen pH of 6.0, and an intermediate hoof ring score and elevated hoof temperatures, indicative of a chronic laminitis. In relation to body weight, the feeding regime of the blackbuck included a higher proportion of concentrates. These observations suggest that a connection between concentrate feeding, low rumen pH, and hoof health could exist in captive wild ruminants, and that a feeding regime that prevents a drop of rumen pH could support hoof health.