Description of 14 cases of bovine hypokalaemia syndrome

Abstract

The records of 14 cases of bovine hypokalaemia observed between 1983 and 1996 were reviewed. The most common history included a protracted, often infectious, disease. All age groups were represented. Although previously reported as a risk factor, isoflupredone acetate had not been administered to five of the cases. The following clinical signs were recorded in 10 cases: abnormal position of the head and neck, severe weakness, rumen hypomotility or atony, abnormal faeces, anorexia and tachycardia. Cardiac dysrhythmia was observed in six cases. Acid-base imbalance (alkalosis in 10 cases), hyperglycaemia and increased activities of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase were associated with hypokalaemia ranging from 1.35 to 2.49 mmol/litre. Treatments included symptomatic treatment, supportive care and potassium chloride given intravenously and orally at an average total daily dose of 42 g/100 kg bodyweight (26 g by mouth and 16 g intravenously) for an average of five days. Eleven cases recovered after an average of three days.

Risk Factors for the Development of Hypokalemia in Neonatal Diarrheic Calves

“…The association between a low milk intake and a hypokalemic state at T 24h has some commonalities to the situation in adult cattle with abomasal displacement or volvolus where hypokalemia was also associated with decreased feed intake relative to the amount of milk produced, in addition to alkalemia in response to sequestration of chloride in the abomasum, and hypovolemia. 12 Severe hypokalemia in cows has been associated with clinical signs of depression, skeletal muscle weakness and recumbency 10,13 although such findings have not been consistently observed 28 and concurrent problems and metabolic imbalances were also reported in affected animals. 10 In the present study clinical findings including posture, behavior and strength of the suckling reflex were not significantly different between hypo-and nonhypokalemic calves at T 24h and T 48h which might be related to the fact that plasma K + in hypokalemic calves (median: 3.4 mmol/L at T 24h ) was not as low as in reports about dairy cattle with clinical signs of severe hypokalemia.…”

“…12 Severe hypokalemia in cows has been associated with clinical signs of depression, skeletal muscle weakness and recumbency 10,13 although such findings have not been consistently observed 28 and concurrent problems and metabolic imbalances were also reported in affected animals. 10 In the present study clinical findings including posture, behavior and strength of the suckling reflex were not significantly different between hypo-and nonhypokalemic calves at T 24h and T 48h which might be related to the fact that plasma K + in hypokalemic calves (median: 3.4 mmol/L at T 24h ) was not as low as in reports about dairy cattle with clinical signs of severe hypokalemia. However, clinical signs in dairy cattle that were experimentally depleted of potassium also included reduced appetite 29 such that the lower milk intake observed in hypokalemic calves could be an effect of whole-body potassium depletion.…”

“…In general, hypokalemia is a commonly observed electrolyte imbalance in critically ill cattle and has been reported in conjunction with clinical disorders such as hepatic lipidosis, downer cow syndrome and abomasal displacement or volvulus. [10][11][12][13] Clinicopathological findings in a large study population of dairy cattle with abomasal displacement or volvulus recently suggested that hypovolemia, a decreased feed intake and acid-base imbalances play an important role in determining the plasma potassium concentration in such animals. 12 Consequently, this study aims to document the dynamics of plasma K + in neonatal diarrheic calves during the course of treatment with special regard to the occurrence of hypokalemia and the identification of factors associated with this condition.…”

Concentration of Potassium in Plasma, Erythrocytes, and Muscle Tissue in Cows with Decreased Feed Intake and Gastrointestinal Ileus

“…Potassium balance can therefore be disturbed by a decline in appetite or renal failure. Drugs having diuretic or mineralocorticoid effects such as isoflupredone acetate can also increase the potassium loss enhancing the excretion via urine 4, 5. The internal potassium balance, which describes the distribution of potassium between intra‐ and extracellular body compartments, is also influenced by numerous factors.…”

In vitro effects of bethanechol on specimens of intestinal smooth muscle obtained from the duodenum and jejunum of healthy dairy cows

“…24 In contrast to findings in horses, spontaneous paralytic (adynamic) ileus is more common in cattle than is postoperative paralytic ileus. 6,24 Although the factors involved in the pathogenesis of postoperative ileus include inflammatory, metabolic, hormonal, neurogenic, and vascular mechanisms, 25 spontaneous paralytic ileus in cattle is mainly attributable to metabolic disturbances and electrolyte imbalances, such as hypocalcemia or hypokaliemia, 6,26 but sympathetic hyperactivity may also be involved. 24 The duodenum also plays a pivotal role in abomasal emptying in ruminants; hence, motility disorders of the duodenum may result in incomplete abomasal emptying.…”