2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

We conclude that ultrasonographic measurement of the LDthoracic muscle thickness and IMF complements ultrasonographic measurement of BFT when quantifying negative energy balance in periparturient dairy cattle. Hyperkalemia is a frequently observed electrolyte imbalance in dehydrated and acidemic calves with neonatal diarrhea that can result in skeletal muscle weakness and life-threatening cardiac conduction abnormalities. This study aimed to compare the plasma potassium-lowering effect of hypertonic sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, and glucose infusion solutions in the initial treatment of hyperkalemic calves. A total of 22 diarrheic calves (age < 21 days) with a plasma potassium concentration (cK) > 5.8 mmol/ L were included in the study. Calves randomly received one of the following intravenous infusions over a period of 5 minutes: 8.4% NaHCO 3 (6.4 mL/kg BW; n = 7), 7.5% NaCl (5 mL/kg BW; n = 8), or 46.2% glucose (5 mL/kg BW; n = 7), and were subsequently allowed to suckle 2 liters of an electrolyte solution.