Diagnosis and treatment of metabolic acidosis in calves: a field study

Abstract

The history and results of a clinical examination were recorded for 32 spring-born suckler calves which were hospitalised for intravenous fluid therapy. Blood samples were taken before treatment, during treatment and before discharge and analysed for colostral status, total carbon dioxide as an indication of acid-base status, and haematocrit. All the calves were given intravenously 5 to 10 litres of electrolyte solution containing 144 mmol/litre sodium, 4 mmol/litre potassium, 113 mmol/litre chloride and 35 mmol/litre bicarbonate, supplemented, in 24 calves, with up to 450 ml of 1M sodium bicarbonate. Nearly all the calves were recumbent but less than half were dehydrated on admission. The signs of dehydration were well correlated with each other and with the haematocrit. Neither the history nor the clinical signs were useful predictors of acidosis. There was no relationship between the severity of acidosis and the degree of dehydration. Acidosis was more prevalent in older calves (P < 0.01). For the severely acidotic calves, supplementary intravenous fluid with sodium bicarbonate significantly (P < 0.05) improved the total blood carbon dioxide at discharge. All 32 calves recovered. It is possible to treat acidotic calves with intravenous fluid therapy effectively, economically and according to their individual needs. The Harleco apparatus is a simple, useful, cost-effective adjunct to the diagnosis and treatment of this life-threatening condition.

Construction and validation of a decision tree for treating metabolic acidosis in calves with neonatal diarrhea

“…The coefficients of correlation between the intended amounts of sodium bicarbonate (which are based on basic clinical signs) on the one hand, and base excess values and anion gap on the other, were highly significant. These findings do not confirm studies which questioned the relation between clinical signs and degree of acidosis [29,30]. Compared with the anion gap, a lower correlation coefficient existed between the provided amounts of sodium bicarbonate and D-lactate concentrations.…”

Development of a diagnostic diagram for rapid field assessment of acidosis severity in diarrheic calves

“…Special attention was given to the clinical signs (mental status, posture, gait, suckling reflex, menace reaction, palpebral reflex, character of oral mucosal membranes, and rectal temperature) described in the literature [13][14][15]17,22,23 as the best predictors for metabolic acidosis. Special attention was given to the clinical signs (mental status, posture, gait, suckling reflex, menace reaction, palpebral reflex, character of oral mucosal membranes, and rectal temperature) described in the literature [13][14][15]17,22,23 as the best predictors for metabolic acidosis.…”

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] However, to the authors' knowledge, the use of a diagnostic diagram that incorporates clinical examination findings in the evaluation of acidosis severity in diarrheic calves has not been described. Because metabolic acidosis in calves causes clinical signs referable to neurologic and cardiovascular dysfunction, investigators have developed useful algorithms and subjective scoring systems based on physical examination findings.…”

Successful correction of D‐lactic acid neurotoxicity (drunken lamb syndrome) by bolus administration of oral sodium bicarbonate

“…Acid base status may readily be measured with a Harleco apparatus (Grove-White and White 1993) or blood gas machine, thereby offering valuable diagnostic information in the absence of D-lactate measurement, which is not routinely performed in veterinary practice.…”