Susceptibility of dairy cows to subacute ruminal acidosis is reflected in both prepartum and postpartum bacteria as well as odd- and branched-chain fatty acids in feces.

Inter-animal variation in postpartum SARA susceptibility was reflected in post- and prepartum fecal bacterial communities. Differences in prepartum fecal bacterial communities could alert for susceptibility to develop SARA postpartum. Our results generated knowledge on the association between fecal bacteria and SARA development which could be further explored in a prevention strategy.