Rumen acidosis is a common condition of small ruminants. Feeding of high starch diets, such as breads and bakery goods, causes rapid fermentation of sugars and production of volatile fatty acids, leading to acidification of the rumen. Under acidic conditions, microbial populations in the rumen change. Rumen protozoa and gram-negative populations diminish and are replaced with gram-positive bacteria. Lactic acid production increases contributing to a further reduced rumen pH as well as a reduction in blood pH causing acidemia. Dehydration results from osmotic draw of rumen contents and subsequent diarrhea. Death generally results from hypovolemia and acidemia.