Determination of urea, creatinine and urea/creatinine ratios in calves with diarrhoea

Abstract

The objective of this study was to ascertain the levels of urea, creatinine (Crea) and the urea/creatinine ratio (UCR) in calves presenting with diarrhoea. The study material comprised 20 calves with diarrhoea and 10 healthy controls. Once the aetiology of diarrhoeal calves had been determined, blood samples were taken and urea, creatinine and UCR levels were determined. The findings of the study indicated that the levels of urea and UCR were statistically significantly elevated in calves with diarrhoea in comparison to the control group. However, the increase in creatinine level was statistically insignificant. The results of the study revealed that UCR is an important biomarker in the evaluation of renal failure in calves with diarrhoea.