Validation of the bovine blood calcium checker as a rapid and simple measuring tool for the ionized calcium concentration in cattle

Abstract

Point-of-care (POC) devices that veterinary practitioners can use to easily and rapidly measure blood ionized calcium (iCa) levels in cows immediately after withdrawing a blood sample on the dairy farm are needed. Aims of present studies was to compare the commercially available ion-selective electrode handheld iCa meter (bovine blood iCa checker) with the benchtop blood gas analyzer GEM premier 3500 and handheld analyzer i-STAT 1. Sixty-two paired-point whole blood samples were obtained from three cows with hypocalcemia experimentally induced by Na 2 -EDTA infusion. Whole blood samples were also obtained from the 36 cows kept on a farm in field conditions. The results using the bovine blood iCa checker correlated with those using the GEM premier 3500 and i-STAT 1. Bovine blood iCa checker was “compatible” with the GEM premier 3500 and i-STAT 1 because the frequency of differences between the measurements within ± 20% of the mean were 100% (65/65, >75%) and 90.8% (59/65, >75%), respectively. In the field trial, the blood iCa concentration measured by the bovine blood Ca checker was significantly positively correlated with that measured by the i-STAT 1 portable analyzer. Bovine blood iCa checker was “compatible” with the i-STAT 1 because the frequency of differences between the measurements within ± 20% of the mean was 100% (36/36, >75%). Results from these findings, the bovine blood iCa checker may be applied as a simplified system to measure the iCa concentration in bovine whole blood.

Comparison of the bovine blood gas parameters produced with three types of portable blood gas analyzers

“…Recently, a comparison of Ca measurements using the analyzer in the field and laboratory analysis equipment has been performed in several studies [ 2 4 14 15 ]. It is presumed that many studies on Ca have been conducted mainly because the level of blood Ca in cattle has an enormous influence on various diseases, conditions, productivity, and disease prognosis [ 2 6 15 ].…”

“…In particular, it is necessary to understand the overall physical condition through physical examination and blood analyses [ 4 8 9 10 ]. Currently, a variety of analytical equipment are being used in veterinary medicine, and rapid diagnosis and analyses of the patient’s condition have been performed [ 2 4 8 10 13 14 ]. Most of these analytical devices are used in a stable laboratory environment, and the use of portable analyzers in the field is rare than laboratory analysis [ 12 15 ].…”

“…Most of these analytical devices are used in a stable laboratory environment, and the use of portable analyzers in the field is rare than laboratory analysis [ 12 15 ]. However, in large animals, especially cattle, unlike companion animals, it is rare to bring patients to the veterinary hospital; therefore, it is necessary to perform a quick and accurate diagnosis in the clinical field [ 12 14 ]. Owing to these limits, portable blood gas analyzers have been actively used in the clinical field for cattle.…”

Comparison of the blood gas analyser Edan i15 Vet with the blood gas analyser Gem Premier 3000 for the analysis of blood gases, electrolytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit in lactating Holstein

“…One hundred and twenty-three clinically healthy Holstein cows were randomly enrolled from different dairy farms in the Aegean region of Turkey. The distribution of the study cows within one month postpartum days (PPD) was n = 29 (calving day), n = 29 (PPD 1), n = 12 (PPD 2), n = 15 (PPD 3), n = 7 (PPD 4-5), n = 10 (PPD 6-7), n = 7 (PPD 8-10), n = 5 (PPD 11-16), n = 4 (PPD [17][18][19] and n = 5 (PPD [22][23][24][25][26][27]. Thirty-five of the 123 cows were primiparous (PRP), and the rest (n = 88) were multiparous (MUL).…”

“…In dairy cows or calves, these devices can also provide rapid results so that appropriate treatment can be initiated quickly in the context of acute care. In dairy cows in particular, POC devices can be useful for rapid determination of blood gases such as pO 2 , pCO 2 , bicarbonate, base deficit and electrolytes to monitor physiological health status in acidosis and alkalosis, and bicarbonate ion loss in calves with diarrhoea (2,8,9,25). The acid-base sta-tus of dairy cows is maintained within a narrow range and is associated with important biological functions of dairy cows (1).…”