[The rumen acidosis complex--recent knowledge and experiences (1). A review]

By "Rumen acidosis" until recently only the acute indigestion with intoxication caused by excessive production of lactic acid was understood. Meanwhile, however, it has become evident that further pathologic changes can take place in the acid-base status of the rumen contents which may also be referred to as "Rumen acidosis". Basing on new literature and own experiences the paper gives a review of that "Rumen acidosis complex": Fundamentals of the regulation of pH in the rumen; chronic latent rumen acidosis (hyper-and parakeratosis, chronic hyperplastic rumenitis, rumenitis-liver abscess complex, hyperlipodeposition, low milk fat syndrome, atypical ketosis, chronic laminitis, cerebrocortical necrosis, acid-base metabolism); acute lactic acidosis (etiology, pathogenesis, therapy, prophylaxis).