Use of Dietary Cation Anion Difference for the Reduction of Urine PH in Goats

Abstract

Goat wethers were fed a pelleted and hay ration with ammonium chloride to achieve DCAD levels of -150, -75, 0 or +75 mEq/kg. Urine, for pH and specific gravity, was obtained hours -3 to -1, 1-3, 5-7, 9-11 and 13-15 relative to the morning feeding. Blood pH was determined on alternate days of the study period. Levels of -150 and -75mEq/kg produced urine pH of 6.0-6.5 two days after initiation, and fell below this range by the end of the trial. 0 mEq/kg resulted in urine pH levels between 6.0 - 6.5 on day 5, while urine pH levels at DCAD level +75 mEq/kg remained above 6.5 during the trial period. Urine specific gravity differed only between the -150 mEq/kg and the -75 mEq/kg groups. Blood pH for the -150 mEq/kg level was significantly lower than that for the other treatment levels.