Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the rumen and claw health of different ruminant species - blackbuck, barbary sheep, sika deer, addax antelope - from the Nuremberg Zoo according to the feeding management.
Five killed individuals of the ruminant species mentioned above, were used in this study. Parameters of microbiological fermentation of the rumen (pH, SCFA, lactate, NH3), blood values (l-lactate, NEFA) as well as rumen tissue samples were examined. Additionally, investigations on claw health, in terms of laminitis were made. The diets were calculated based on the weight of the feedstuffs and nutrition analysis.
Three species - blackbuck, barbary sheep, addax antelope - all grass- and roughage feeders, showed severe characteristics of subacute ruminal acidosis due to a diet high in fermentable carbohydrates and low in fibre. This was particularly proved by numerous microabscesses inside the rumen mucosa and mean rumen pH < 6,5. The sika deer, classified as intermediate feeder, appeared to tolerate the diet with a high concentrate rate, since no pathological variations were present.
These results demonstrate that subacute ruminal acidosis is still a serious problem in captive wild ruminants, which are often fed wrong diets with a high concentration of
easily digestible carbohydrates.
Schilcher, B